The Behavior of the Full‐term but Underweight Newborn Infant

Abstract

Ten underweight full-term newborns were compared with 10 full-weight newborns on the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale. The Brazelton examination differentiated the 2 groups clearly on the reflexes of walking, crawling and passive movements of arms and legs, and on rooting and sucking. It differentiated the 2 groups on behaviors important for the caretaker of the baby: attractiveness, need for stimulation, interactive processes and motor processes. The 10 underweight infants were followed up at a later date during the 1st yr. They showed temperamental organizational difficulties and some indication of psychosomatic reaction to stress. The underweight newborn''s fragile organization apparently elicited anxiety in the caretaker which made interaction difficult.