Developmental aspects of subacute fetal distress: Behaviour problems and neurological dysfunction

Abstract

A group of term infants malnourished in utero and classified as a subacute fetal distress at birth were followed up with a group of normally grown term infants matched for age, sex, birth rank and social class. Both groups were free from other perinatal morbidity and chronic diseases. At three years of age behaviour was studied using the behaviour screening questionnaire of Richman and Graham and a behaviour observation report, whereas neurological dysfunction was assessed according to the pro forma of Touwen. Both problematic behaviour and neurological dysfunction occurred more frequently in the subacute fetal distress group. Behaviour problems are comparable to neurological signs as indicators for brain dysfunction.