Exploring the cognitive development of children born to adolescent mothers in South Africa.
Kathryn J RobertsColette SmithDr Elona ToskaProfessor Lucie CluverCamille WittesaeleNontokozo LangwenyaYulia ShenderovichWylene SaalJanina JochimJenny J Chen-CharlesMarguerite MarlowLorraine SherrPublished in: Infant and child development (2023)
An exploration of the cognitive development of children born to adolescent mothers within South Africa utilizing the Mullen Scales of Early Learning.Cognitive development scores of children born to adolescent mothers within South Africa were lower compared to USA norm reference data and declined with child age.Previous studies utilizing the Mullen Scales of Early Learning within sub-Saharan Africa were summarized, and comparisons were made with the current sample.Findings highlight a potential risk of developmental delay among children born to adolescent mothers compared to children of adult mothers in the sub-Saharan African region.