Socioeconomic disadvantage and neural development from infancy through early childhood.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Early social experiences are believed to shape neurodevelopment, with potentially lifelong consequences. Yet minimal evidence exists regarding the role of the social environment on children's neural functioning, a core domain of neurodevelopment.

Methods

We analysed data from 36 443 participants in the United States Collaborative Perinatal Project, a socioeconomically diverse pregnancy cohort conducted between 1959 and 1974. Study outcomes included: physician (neurologist or paediatrician)-rated neurological abnormality neonatally and thereafter at 4 months and 1 and 7 years; indicators of neurological hard signs and soft signs; and indicators of autonomic nervous system function.

Results

Children born to socioeconomically disadvantaged parents were more li

SUBMITTER: Chin-Lun Hung G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4715254 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature