Cognitive and Motor Development in Infants at Risk for Human Immunodeficiency Virus

To evaluate the natural course of cognitive and motor development among infants infected with human immunodeficiency virus from birth, the Bayley Scales of Infant Development were administered to 96 infants between 5.5 and 24 months of age. Infants were divided into three groups on the basis of subsequent assessment of human immunodeficiency virus serologic status: seronegative (N = 45), seropositive (N = 12), and seroreverter (N = 39). Groups did not differ in race, infant age at initial testing, maternal age, maternal education level, maternal history of intravenous drug abuse, or percentage of children in foster care placement. Significant group differences were found on the Mental Development Index and Psychomotor Development Index, with the seropositive infants scoring significantly lower than the seronegative or seroreverter infants.