Parallel deficits in linear growth and mental development in low-income Mexican infants in the second year of life

Details

Research Team

Lia C.H. Fernald, Lynnette M. Neufeld, Lauren R. Barton, Lourdes Schnaas, Juan Rivera, Paul J. Gertler

Topic

Early Childhood Development

Publication

Journal publication

Country

Mexico

Region

Latin America & Caribbean

Tags

child health, mental development, poverty

Study Overview

The purpose of this study was to explore anthropometric indicators and mental development in very-low-income children in the second year of life.

Study Results

Parallel deficits are evident in both height-for-age and cognitive functioning during the second year of life in low-income Mexican infants. The consistency of these growth and development findings further stresses the need for targeted interventions to reduce the vulnerability of low-income Mexican children very early in life.