Poverty linked to motor delays in babies by six months, study finds
Mar 3rd 2026
A UFSCar longitudinal study of 88 infants found early motor delays tied to poverty at six months that largely reversed by eight months after simple, low-cost home stimulation and maternal engagement.
- Researchers at the Federal University of São Carlos followed 88 infants aged 3 to 8 months and found motor delays in babies from socioeconomically vulnerable families by six months.
- Vulnerable infants showed less diversity of movement and tended to repeat the same strategies to perform tasks.
- Delays were no longer significant by eight months after mothers adopted simple stimulation guidance given during home visits.
- Low-cost practices such as tummy time, talking, singing, and improvised toys were effective in improving motor outcomes.
- Boys were 2.57 times more likely than girls to show atypical motor development, and crowded households increased risk.
- Protective factors included older maternal age, higher maternal education, living with both parents, and availability of toys, and researchers used the Infant Motor Profile in Brazil for the first time