NEUROLOGICALLY DEVIANT NEWBORNS: NEUROLOGICAL AND BEHAVIOURAL DEVELOPMENT AT THE AGE OF SIX YEARS

Abstract

Of 1655 newborns examined neurologically at term, 80 were found to be abnormal. 76 were traced at six years of age, together with a control group to 77 neonatally normal children. In the study group five children had died, six were severely handicapped and 21 had minor neurological dysfunction (MND). In the control group two had died and four had MND. Obstetrical and neonatal paediatric effects, as well as complications in the intervening years, appeared to have a cumulative effect on the relationship between the neonatal neurological condition and the neurological findings at six years. There were no large differences in behaviour between the study group and the controls, but the study-group MND children showed a stronger tendency for undesirable behaviour and poor school achievements. Although environmental influences are preponderant for the development of behaviour and school performance, a contribution of both neonatal and later neurological conditions seems likely.