To evaluate outcomes in infants of very low birth weight born in 1982-83 to families of extremely low socioeconomic status (SES), 33 infants who weighed less than 1001 grams at birth and survived the nursery period were followed for 1 year. The sample was 79 percent Hispanic and 58 percent female. Mean birth weight was 868 grams and mean gestational age was 28.5 weeks. Two infants died following discharge and six could not be located. Sixty percent of the developmental scores on the Gesell Schedules (n=22) at 40 weeks corrected chronological age (CCA) or the Bayley Scales of Infant Development (n=3) at 13 months CCA fell within normal range and 36 percent were in the abnormal range. Neurologically, 46 percent of the sample were functioning within normal range by the end of the first year, 36 percent were abnormal, and the remainder showed some indication of possible problems. Forty-one percent had weights below the tenth percentile and four infants were blind secondary to retinopathy of prematurity by the end of one year. Six infants evidenced behavioral problems, including tantrums, irritability, distractability, or frequent crying. Short-term outcome in this sample was similar to that reported for middle-class infants. It is concluded that biological factors appear to play a more significant role than environment during the first year of life, and that long-term study of these infants is needed to determine the impact of poor environment over time. (Author/RH)