Paid maternal leave is associated with infant brain function at 3 months of age

• DOI: 10.1111/cdev.13765
• Publication Date: 2022-04-04T07:53:09Z
• Authors: Natalie H. Brito; Denise Werchan; Annie Brandes‐Aitken; Hirokazu Yoshikawa; Ashley Greaves; Maggie Zhang
• Keywords: Brain Function; Brain Development; Child Development

Abstract The first months of life are critical for establishing neural connections relevant social and cognitive development. Yet, the United States lacks a national policy paid family leave during this important period brain This study examined associations between infant electroencephalography (EEG) at 3 in sociodemographically diverse sample families from New York City ( N = 80; 53 males; 48% Latine; data collection occurred 05/2018–12/2019). Variable‐centered regression results indicate that status was related to differences EEG power p s < .02, R 2 > .12). Convergent person‐centered latent profile analyses demonstrate mothers with were 7.39 times as likely have infants profiles characterized by increased higher‐Hz (95% CI, 1.9–36.9), potentially reflecting more mature patterns activity.