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Cognitive development of children in poverty with failure to thrive
A prospective study through age 6
Mackner, L. M., Black, M. M., & Starr, R. H. (2003). Cognitive development of children in poverty with failure to thrive: A prospective study through age 6. Journal of child psychology and psychiatry, 44(5), 743-751. https://doi.org/10.1111/1469-7610.00160
BACKGROUND: This study examined the cognitive development of children in poverty with normal growth and those with a history of failure to thrive (FTT) prospectively from infancy through age 6.
METHOD: Participants were 226 low-income infants with normal birthweight and no perinatal complications, congenital problems, or chronic illnesses. One hundred and twenty-eight children experienced FTT and were treated in an interdisciplinary clinic, and 98 had normal growth.
RESULTS: Cognitive development declined in both groups to 1.0-1.5 SD below the norm. Children with FTT had lower cognitive scores than children with adequate growth through age 4, followed by recovery. By ages 5 and 6, there were no differences in cognitive scores based on the children's growth history. Using hierarchical linear modeling, child-centered home environment and small family size were related to better cognitive performance.
CONCLUSIONS: The low scores of both groups point to the need for programs promoting a child-centered home environment.
