Assessment of Mental and Motor Development of Infants in Hamirpur District of Himachal Pradesh

The present investigation was undertaken with the objectives to assess the mental and motor development of infants; to ascertain, the difference between male and female infants. The study was conducted in Hamirpur block of Hamirpur district of Himachal Pradesh. A total of 210 infants (105 males and 105 females) from eight villages were randomly selected for this study. Bayley’s scale was used to assess the motor and mental development. The finding indicated that the rate of increase in growth was rapid during first 6 months. In all the age groups, males were found to be better in growth as compared to females. PDI (Psychomotor Development Indices) of females was high in all the age group except at 4 months in contrast to males. MDI (Mental Development Indices) of males was high except at 2 months in contrast to females. Positive correlation was found between psychomotor development indices and mental development indices. Negative correlation was found between age and PDI from 6 months to 10 months, whereas negative correlation was found between age and MDI from 2 months to 10 months.