4 LANGUAGE DELAY IN 2 YR. OLD CHILDREN OF AADOLESCENT MOTHERS

Abstract

We have previously reported that adolescent mothers are more physical and less verbal with their infants, especially while teaching difficult tasks, and that their infants vocalize less by 8 months of age. Are children of adolescent mothers at risk for language delay? The present study hypothesized that 2 yr. old children of adolescent mothers (CAM) would have lower receptive and expressive language scores and that these scores would be related to multiple social and demographic high risk factors. Twenty primiparous, Caucasian, low to middle class mothers (half ≤ 17 years of age at child's birth) and their 2 yr. old children were studied. The Caldwell Home Inventory was scored by an unbiased observer during a two-hour home visit. The Bayley Scales (MDI and PDI) and the Mullen Scales of Early Learning (Language Expressive (LEO) and Language Receptive (LRO)) were administered by another unbiased examiner during a clinic visit. Tympanography was performed and sociodemographic information was obtained. CAM had lower LRO (p<.01) and LEO (p<.001) scores, but no differences were observed in MDI, PDI and tympanograms. Children whose mothers possess 2 or more of the following: ↓ maternal age, ↓ SES, ↓ education, ↓ family support, or ↓ HOME total score had lower LRO (p<.001) and LEO (p<.01) scores. We conclude that ↓ CAM are at risk for language delay which is related to multiple social and demographic risk factors associated with adolescent childbearing.