World Bank Document

The Abecedarian Experience 119

36 months matched to birthweight and level of curriculum activities
(low, medium, high) received in the child development center and at
home.
The data show a correlation between mean IQ and level of curricu-
lum activities for both birthweight groups. The higher the number of
activities, the higher the level of IQ.
Furthermore, among the children who received a low level of activ-
ities, those who had a lighter birthweight (<2000 g) had a 10-point
lower IQ than did those who had a higher birthweight (2001–2005 g)
(Sparling and others 1991).

Obviously, some children (such as those with birthweight < 2000 g)

are especially vulnerable, and special attention is needed to ensure

that intervention activities are delivered frequently.

Table 4. Percent of Children (at Age 36 Months) with Borderline Intellectual

Performance (IQ <85) and Retarded Intellectual Performance (IQ <70)

in the Control Group and in the Treatment Group (at Three Levels of

Participation), Infant Health and Development Program

Treatment group

Level of participation/percent of children

Control group

IQ Percent of children Low Medium High

IQ < 70 16.9% 13.0% 3.5% 1.9%

IQ < 85 18.6% 6.6% 8.4% 5.0%

Source:Ramey and others 1992.

Table 5. Mean IQ at Age 36 Months for Three Levels of Curriculum

Activity Received by Children at Two Birthweight Ranges, Infant

Health and Development Program

Level of curriculum activity/mean IQ

Birthweight (grams) Low Medium High

<2,000 82 95 97

2,001–2,500 92 98 100

Source:Sparling and others 1991.