HOME-ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOPMENTAL OUTCOME OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN AND WHITE INFANTS WITH VERY-LOW-BIRTH-WEIGHT

The independent and additive contribution of psychosocial and biologic al risk factors to developmental outcome of very low birthweight infan ts (< 1,500 g) were examined through 24 months corrected age as a func tion of race. Psychosocial risk was assessed in terms of the quality a nd quantity of stimulation and support offered in the infant's home en vironment as reflected in the Home Observation of Environment (HOME) I nventory. Biological risk was assessed through the Neurobiological Ris k Score (NBRS) that reflects processes potentially deleterious to the developing brain during the neonatal period. The NBRS accounted for si gnificant portions of variance in Bayley Mental Developmental Index (M DI) within the African American and White subgroups at 15 months corre cted age but only within the White subgroup at 24 months corrected age . At 24 months the HOME accounted for a significant increment (13%) in cognitive functioning (MDI) over and above that accounted for by biom edical risk (23%) but only within the subgroup of White infants. The f indings are discussed in terms of the need to develop measures that re flect dimensions of the home environment of African American children that are associated with subsequent developmental outcome.