title: Surveillance of developmental disabilities with an emphasis on special studies.
abstract: The developing central nervous system seems to be particularly vulnerable to chemical insults. A model for developmental disabilities surveillance is presented that provides a reasonable framework for monitoring the prevalence of various developmental abnormalities in human populations. Effective monitoring will not only increase the likelihood of detecting the adverse effects of new physical or chemical agents in the environment but will provide a readily available case series for specially directed case-control studies. A specific example is provided of a large case-control study of cerebral palsy and intrapartum magnesium exposure among very low birth weight children, which is being conducted within the framework of a developmental disabilities surveillance program.
authors.affiliation: Developmental Disabilities Branch, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA.
authors.forename: C A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Boyle
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002487:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000002:abnormalities*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D000013:Congenital Abnormalities / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005845:Georgia; D006801:Humans; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011247:Pregnancy; D014481:United States