Anita A. Scarborough, PhD¹, Rune J. Simeonsson, PhD², Kathleen M. Hebbeler, PhD³, Donna Spiker, PhD³, and Sangeeta Mallik, PhD³. (1) Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, University of North Carolina, CB 8185, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-8185, 919-966-8914, Anita_Scarborough@unc.edu, (2) Frank Porter Graham Child Development Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, CB #8185, UNC-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-8185, (3) Center for Education and Human Services, SRI International, 600 Mockingbird Place, Davis, CA 95616

In 1998, approximately 300,000 infants born in the U.S. weighed less than 2,500 grams, representing 7.6% of all births. These infants have increased rates of developmental disabilities and academic problems and are eligible for early intervention services under Part C legislation. The co-occurrence of low birth weight (LBW) and environmental risk factors place LBW children at the highest risk for developmental delay. Data from the National Early Intervention Longitudinal Study (NEILS) found approximately 1/3 of all children entering Part C services were LBW (Scarborough et al, 2004). Comparing weighted sample estimates with the general population indicates that about 20% of LBW infants were likely to enroll in early intervention programs. The percentage of LBW births in the general population among African-Americans (13%) was almost twice that among Caucasian children (7%). Overall rates of LBW among children entering EI were higher, but the proportional relationships were similar: half of all African-American infants and toddlers (51%) entering Part C early intervention were LBW, compared with 24% of Caucasian infants and toddlers. The presentation will examine the relationship between demographic characteristics of children in early intervention, and neonatal characteristics, with outcomes at 3 years of age. Specific analyses will be made of factors related to birth vulnerability characteristics, age at entry to services, compared to indicators of well-being at transition to Part B services at 3 years of age.

Learning Objectives:

• Session participants will be able to identify child and family characteristics associated with positive outcomes for infants with a difficult birth history.
• Participants will be able to list to list two factors influential in predicting child outcomes.

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.