Clinical Evaluation of One-Year-Old Infants: Possible Predictors of Risk for the “Hyperactivity Syndrome”

Abstract

One hundred and twenty-three infants selected from a normal newborn screening of 933 on the basis of minor physical anomalies of face, head, hands, and feet were evaluated at one year of age. At that time parents rated infant temperament and responded to a structured pediatric interview. Developmental testing was performed by a psychologist, who also rated infant behavior. Some significant associations found between these separate ratings indicate the usefulness of the temperament scale for infant behavior studies and suggest the need for a combined approach to behavioral evaluation. The total score of minor anomalies also showed low but significant association with irritable, fussy behavior as rated at the pediatric interview and by parent questionnaire. The usefulness of temperament and anomaly measures for prediction of later behavior problems is currently being assessed by longitudinal follow-up.