That old Nature vs. Nurture question
"The brains of children from the lowest income bracket—less than US$25,000—had up to 6% less surface area than did those of children from families making more than US$150,000, the researchers found. In children from the poorest families, income disparities of a few thousand dollars were associated with major differences in brain structure, particularly in areas associated with language and decision-making skills. Children's scores on tests measuring cognitive skills, such as reading and memory ability, also declined with parental income."
Article points out the effects of low income households on a child. Lack of parent/child time together due to the need to constantly work to survive, the dearth of enrichment because of funds, the lack of stimulation and even the DNA of the parents themselves being under attack due to poor nutrition and stress.
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/poverty-shrinks-brains-from-birth1/
