RESOLUTION OF NEUROLOGICAL SYMPTOMS IN HIGH‐RISK INFANTS DURING THE FIRST TWO YEARS OF LIFE

Abstract

115 high-risk infants were identified and followed prospectively over the first 24 months of life. All infants underwent neurological assessments at 12 and 24 months and developmental assessments at six and 12 months. Approximately one-quarter of the infants were considered to be ''neurologically suspicious'' at 12 months of age, of whom slightly more than one-half were deemed normal by 24 months. Children who were classified as being either normal or abnormal at 12 months were highly likely to have their classification confirmed at 24 months. Abnormal and suspicious neurological outcomes at 12 and 24 months were inversely correlated with birthweight and were not affected by the infants being given early physical therapy. Children who were suspicious at 12 months and who either remained suspicious or became abnormal at 24 months had lower personal-social quotients at six and 12 months and lower hearing-speech quotients at 12 months than the suspicious children who became normal.