title: A four year follow-up of infants with early signs of neuro-developmental deviation.
abstract: The transient and variable nature of abnormal or deviant neuro-developmental signs during the early post-term months of 'high risk' infants, has been recognized. Careful longitudinal follow-up of these children is indicated. This study investigates the neuro-sensory-motor and general developmental progress over four years, of a group of children who were identified as 'dystonic' at the adjusted age of four months. The developmental performance of these 15 children was compared with a matched group of children. The results indicated that at four years of age the 'dystonic' group of children were developmentally less competent and more variable in all areas assessed than their 'non-dystonic' peers. Only one child was ultimately diagnosed as cerebral palsy indicating the transient nature of quite marked early signs. The implications for possible problems at school emphasize the need for continued follow-up of this group of children.
authors.forename: Y R
authors.initials: YR
authors.lastname: Burns
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Fitzpatrick
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mohay