Developmental Intervention for Infants of Adolescent Mothers

Developmental Intervention for Infants of Adolescent Mothers

This is a randomized control trial to evaluate a simple language intervention curriculum that utilizes LENA recordings, linguistic feedback and text-message review of content to improve language environments and outcomes for infants with adolescent mothers.

Mother-infant pairs are enrolled while in the hospital after birth. Enrolled participants are randomized into a language (intervention) or motor (control) group. All participants have a baseline LENA (device that captures 16 hour recording and associated computer analysis generates a report of numbers of adult words spoken, infant vocalization and conversational turns). Interventions after the baseline recording by group are as follows:

Intervention:

1. Review language curriculum and motor curriculum with study personnel
2. Direct linguistic feedback of baseline LENA recording
3. 2nd LENA recording completed and analyzed
4. Direct or mailed linguistic feedback of 2nd LENA recording
5. 16- Weekly text messages
6. 4 month LENA recording with mailed linguistic feedback
7. 12 month LENA recording with mailed linguistic feedback

Control:

1. Review motor curriculum with study personnel
2. 2nd LENA recording completed and analyzed
3. 4- monthly text messages
4. 4 month LENA recording
5. 12 month LENA recording with mailed linguistic feedback of all recordings

Both groups undergo the following assessments:

1. Ages and Stages Questionnaire at 4 and 12 months
2. Maternal Peabody Picture Vocabulary test at 4 months
3. Edinburgh Post-partum Depression Scale at 4 months
4. MacArthur Bates Communicative Developmental Inventory: Words and Gestures at 12

Inclusion Criteria:

• Infants ≥30 weeks born to 15-20 year old mothers

Exclusion Criteria:

• Congenital anomalies associated with adverse developmental outcomes
• Non-English speaking mothers
• No cell phone
• Mother not available for follow-up
• State custody of mother or infant.