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Examined the relationship of hydrocephalus and behavioral adjustment in three groups of 5- to 7-year-old children (N = 84) with a history of early hydrocephalus (spina bifida, prematurity, aqueductal stenosis) and three non-hydrocephalic comparison groups (spina bifida, prematurity, normals). Results revealed no significant group differences on measures of behavioral adjustment and a variety of family and sociodemographic variables. Children with hydrocephalus were more likely to meet criteria for behavior problems, obtained lower scores on measures of adaptive behavior, and perceived themselves as less physically competent. Categorical modeling analyses showed that hydrocephalus and its treatment, gender, family variables, and motor skills were related to the presence of behavior problems.

Examined cognitive and motor performance during the subacute stage of recovery and 8 months postinjury in 21 infants and preschoolers who sustained a closed head injury (CHI). Children sustaining severe CHI, who exhibited impaired consciousness for at least 1 day, were impaired on measures of intelligence, motor, expressive language, and receptive language functions on the baseline and follow-up evaluations relative to children with mild-moderate injuries. Irrespective of injury severity, motor and expressive language functions were the most vulnerable to the effects of CHI. Results are discussed in terms of the rate of development of cognitive functions.