Maternal Cognitive Function and Neurobehavioral Development of Underprivileged Children

It is estimated that over 200 million children under 5 years of age in developing countries are not attaining their developmental potential (e.g., neurobehavioral development) primarily because of poverty and associated health, nutritional deficiencies, and unstimulating home environment. Child's Neurobehavioral development consists of several interdependent domains of sensory-motor, cognitive-language, and social-emotional function. Experiences in the first few years of life are of particular importance because vital development occurs during this period. Early under nutrition, iron-deficiency, environmental toxins, stress, and poor stimulation and social interaction can affect brain structure and function. Stunting, inadequate cognitive stimulation, iodine deficiency, and iron deficiency anemia are identified as key risk factors, where the need for cognitive intervention is urgent, that prevent millions of young children from fulfilling their developmental potential and neurobehavioral development. It is clear that underprivileged children require not only good health, nutrition, and wealth but also supportive and caring environments and cognitive stimulation for their optimum neurobehavioral development as in the case of Bangladesh. Cognitive function and self-esteem of mothers is crucial for having the optimum outcome from intervention. However, little is known regarding the importance of mother's cognitive ability influencing different domains of her children's neurobehavioral development. This is how, the investigators plan to measure the maternal cognitive function and to assess the neurobehavioral development of underprivileged children. The investigators will enroll 200 mothers and children as a sample of the present study. Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development will be used along with other interview scales.