Effects of social, familial, and maternal state variables on neonatal and infant health.

The medical protocols of a Danish birth cohort of 5,036 infants were summarized into 5 infant outcome measures: birth weight, neonatal physical health, neonatal neurological status, 1-yr physical health, and 1-yr motor development. All Ss received uniform medical care during pregnancy. 17 indices representing both medical and environmental variables were used as predictors in hierarchical regression analyses. Consistent negative environmental influences on neonatal outcomes were not found, presumably due to the uniform medical care during pregnancy that each mother received. A stronger environmental influence was observable at 1 yr of age. Institutional daycare, mother's employment, family size, whether the child was planned, and SES all contributed significantly to the regression equation for 1-yr physical health. This effect was anticipated, since no uniform medical treatment was provided the cohort subsequent to birth. (46 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)