PARANATAL FACTORS AFFECTING ADJUSTMENT IN CHILDHOOD

Abstract

In an unselected series of 226 children, 73.9% were judged to be in good physical condition during the first two days of life. Of the children in good physical condition, only 19.2% were later judged to be maladjusted; whereas, of the children in poor physical condition, 39.0% were later considered maladjusted. This is a highly significant difference and it is concluded that a child's neonatal condition may effect his adjustment in later childhood. No single factor among the ones studied is demonstrably critical in affecting later adjustment. However, several maternal factors acting in gestation and during delivery, certain specific neonatal difficulties, and certain factors which might act anatomically or environmentally, are shown to increase the percentage of infants judged to be in poor neonatal condition. Intelligence, as revealed by the intelligence quotient, is not the critical factor which determines adequacy of adjustment in childhood, although it is related to it. The maladjusted child may be a victim of a physically damaged brain. He should be given all possible aid in his development and in his relations to other human beings. A child whose history includes a difficult birth and neonatal period should be brought up with more than the usual regard for his possible emotional deficiencies and difficulties. Many paranatal factors may affect the condition of the newborn infant. With a knowledge of the relationship of neonatal condition to childhood maladjustment, it is hoped that all of these factors may be studied with a broader perspective for their possible effects beyond the first days of life.