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The weight and height data of 9261 children from birth onwards were gathered on their admission to primary school in 1989 in the area of Lyon, and compared to French references. In comparison with the latter data, the weight and height for age were found to be higher, and there was an excess of children with a high weight for height. The weight for height was higher than the mean of the reference distribution plus two standard deviations in 6.2% of the children. Birth hypertrophy increased the risk of obesity at age six. A new criterion of neonatal hypertrophy, taking various constitutional characteristics into account, was found to be associated to a twofold risk of subsequent obesity, and was shown to be more appropriate in predicting subsequent obesity than classical definitions based on the weight or on the weight for gestational age or sex.

We had a sample of 135 mentally retarded children, whose case history (maternal, obstetrical and perinatal) was known before their mental retardation was suspected. This analysis made it possible to pinpoint characteristic anamnesic giving rise to mental retardation by comparison with a check population. It appears that these factors differ according to the supposed origin of mental retardation (genetic, embryonic, foetal, perinatal and postnatal periods) therefore, they can be considered "explicative" of these origins. A multivariate analysis of these factors indicates that the majority of cases of mental retardation with unknown origin are due to disorders during foetal life, which had not been detected.

Based on INSERM epidemiological surveys, the authors study the risk of prematurity related to the maternal way of life. The prematurity rate is higher in women younger than 20 years, in women of foreign overseas origin, in unmarried women living in couple or alone, and in women of low socio-economic classes. Work during pregnancy is not in itself a risk factor as women at home present a higher prematurity rate than women at work. However, the strenuous working conditions, which concern about 20% of pregnant women at work, lead to a higher prematurity rate. Other factors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, travelling and housework are studied. The role of psychological modifications linked to pregnancy is discussed, particularly in women who do not present any medical factor. From these data, suggestions are made in order to improve prematurity prevention.