Parental, Gestational, and Birth-Related Risk Factors for Cognitive Development Problems at 9 Months of Age

Marianne M. Hillemeier, Pennsylvania State University
George Farkas, Pennsylvania State University
Paul Morgan, Pennsylvania State University
Molly A. Martin, Pennsylvania State University
Steven Maczuga, Pennsylvania State University

Few studies have used population-based samples to examine the relationship of early childhood health to children’s cognitive development. This study uses a new nationally representative dataset, the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study Birth Cohort (ECLS-B) to analyze predictors of cognitive development problems at 9 months of age. A series of multiple logistic regression models are estimated predicting low scores on a modified version of the Bayley mental scale. Separate models are fit for singletons and non-singletons. Results indicate that a wide range of parental characteristics and gestational and birth-related risk factors are associated with cognitive development. Differences among singletons and non-singletons are also seen, and warrant further investigation.