Environmental Factors and Infant s Developmental Status at the Age of Six Month

Although the results of many clinical studies suggest that breast-fed children score higher on tests of cognitive function than do formula-fed children, some investigations have suggested that these differences are related to confounding variables such as socio-economic status or maternal education and that all these factors does not show except in late childhood. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of breast feeding and other risk factors on infant development, among low socio economic children born under optimal biological conditions, and who are exposed to adverse social circumstances. Methods: Infants of both sexes, in the amount of 115, were studied and controlled retrospectively from birth to 6 months. Their developmental performance was assessed using Denver-II. Breast feeding and other confounding factors were studied. Results and Discussion: Breast feeding, parental education and growth measurement were found to affect consistently infant s development in one or more fields. A statistical significant correlation was found between infant s growth and motor development while the language and social development were more linked to the type of feeding and parental education.