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Background: This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effects of an early developmental intervention program on the development of young children in low- and low-middle-income countries who are at risk for neurodevelopmental disability because of birth asphyxia. A group of children without perinatal complications are evaluated in the same protocol to compare the effects of early developmental intervention in healthy infants in the same communities. Birth asphyxia is the leading specific cause of neonatal mortality in low- and low-middle-income countries and is also the main cause of neonatal and long-term morbidity including mental retardation, cerebral palsy, and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Mortality and morbidity from birth asphyxia disproportionately affect more infants in low- and low-middle-income countries, particularly those from the lowest socioeconomic groups. There is evidence that relatively inexpensive programs of early developmental intervention, delivered during home visit by parent trainers, are capable of improving neurodevelopment in infants following brain insult due to birth asphyxia.Methods/Design: This trial is a block-randomized controlled trial that has enrolled 174 children with birth asphyxia and 257 without perinatal complications, comparing early developmental intervention plus health and safety counseling to the control intervention receiving health and safety counseling only, in sites in India, Pakistan, and Zambia. The interventions are delivered in home visits every two weeks by parent trainers from 2 weeks after birth until age 36 months. The primary outcome of the trial is cognitive development, and secondary outcomes include social-emotional and motor development. Child, parent, and family characteristics and number of home visits completed are evaluated as moderating factors.Discussion: The trial is supervised by a trial steering committee, and an independent data monitoring committee monitors the trial. Findings from this trial have the potential to inform about strategies for reducing neurodevelopmental disabilities in at-risk young children in low and middle income countries.Trial Registration: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT00639184. © 2010 Wallander et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

Abstract Background This randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the effects of an early developmental intervention program on the development of young children in low- and low-middle-income countries who are at risk for neurodevelopmental disability because of birth asphyxia. A group of children without perinatal complications are evaluated in the same protocol to compare the effects of early developmental intervention in healthy infants in the same communities. Birth asphyxia is the leading specific cause of neonatal mortality in low- and low-middle-income countries and is also the main cause of neonatal and long-term morbidity including mental retardation, cerebral palsy, and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Mortality and morbidity from birth asphyxia disproportionately affect more infants in low- and low-middle-income countries, particularly those from the lowest socioeconomic groups. There is evidence that relatively inexpensive programs of early developmental intervention, delivered during home visit by parent trainers, are capable of improving neurodevelopment in infants following brain insult due to birth asphyxia. Methods/Design This trial is a block-randomized controlled trial that has enrolled 174 children with birth asphyxia and 257 without perinatal complications, comparing early developmental intervention plus health and safety counseling to the control intervention receiving health and safety counseling only, in sites in India, Pakistan, and Zambia. The interventions are delivered in home visits every two weeks by parent trainers from 2 weeks after birth until age 36 months. The primary outcome of the trial is cognitive development, and secondary outcomes include social-emotional and motor development. Child, parent, and family characteristics and number of home visits completed are evaluated as moderating factors. Discussion The trial is supervised by a trial steering committee, and an independent data monitoring committee monitors the trial. Findings from this trial have the potential to inform about strategies for reducing neurodevelopmental disabilities in at-risk young children in low and middle income countries. Trial Registration Clinicaltrials.gov NCT00639184

Multiple factors influence infant and child neurodevelopment in low resource settings. In offspring of participants in the preconception maternal nutrition trial, Women First (WF), we examined the impact of providing a preconception (Arm 1) or prenatal (Arm 2) nutrient supplement (compared to controls, Arm 3) on neurodevelopmental outcomes at 24 months; predictors of neurodevelopment scores; and associations of infant anthropometrics with neurodevelopmental scores. Follow-up visits for anthropometry were conducted at 6-, 12-, 18- and 24-month of age. At 24-months, in a randomized subset, the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, 3rd edition (BSID-III), including cognitive, motor and social-emotional subscales, and the Family Care Indicators (FCI) questionnaire, assessing family and home environment, were completed. Multiple covariates (intervention arm, site, maternal sociodemographic characteristics, FCI subscales, birthweight and 6-24 months' change in anthropometry z-scores, (e.g., ΔLAZ 6-2 4 ) were evaluated by linear regression to predict BSID-III outcomes and to assess associations of anthropometric changes with BSID-III scores. The analysis consisted of 1386 infants (n = 441, 486, 459 for Arms 1, 2 and 3, respectively). None of the domain-specific BSID-III subscale scores differed by maternal intervention arm. Four covariates significantly predicted (p ≤ 0.01) all 3 BSID-III subscales: secondary maternal education, ΔLAZ 6 - 24 , birthweight >2500 g, and FCI play materials. Linear growth was associated with all domains of neurodevelopment. The results underscore the multi-dimensional aspects of child development represented by the nurturing care framework, including prenatal maternal nutrition, post-natal growth, maternal education for responsive caregiving and opportunities for early learning., (© 2024 The Author(s). Maternal & Child Nutrition published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Objectives: Focal myositis (FM) is a rare and restricted skeletal muscle inflammation, presenting as a solid mass with a typical lower leg localization and benign prognosis. In most cases the process solves spontaneously or after immunosuppressant therapy, but sometimes it recurs or progresses to a systemic inflammation. The basis of the disease are mostly unknown., Methods: Hence, we provide an update of histopathological features of FM, in order to better define the underlying pathomechanisms of this disorder. A PubMed literature search was focused on the case reports published in English from July 1977 to December 2023., Results: FM and other myositis may show similar morphological features. Emerging studies on MMP molecules and future eventual research on microRNAs (miRNAs) could help in differential diagnosis., Conclusions: Clinical, laboratory, neurophysiological and imaging findings can allow a correct diagnosis. However, muscle biopsy seems to be the only diagnostic tool to differentiate among FM and other localized soft tissue masses., (Copyright © 2024 Gaetano Conte Academy - Mediterranean Society of Myology.)

Objective: This study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that early vigabatrin treatment in tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) infants improves neurocognitive outcome at 24 months of age., Methods: A phase IIb multicenter randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial was conducted of vigabatrin at first epileptiform electroencephalogram (EEG) versus vigabatrin at seizure onset in infants with TSC. Primary outcome was Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition (Bayley-III) cognitive assessment score at 24 months. Secondary outcomes were prevalence of drug-resistant epilepsy, additional developmental outcomes, and safety of vigabatrin., Results: Of 84 infants enrolled, 12 were screen failures, 4 went straight to open label vigabatrin, and 12 were not randomized (normal EEG throughout). Fifty-six were randomized to early vigabatrin (n = 29) or placebo (n = 27). Nineteen of 27 in the placebo arm transitioned to open label vigabatrin, with a median delay of 44 days after randomization. Bayley-III cognitive composite scores at 24 months were similar for participants randomized to vigabatrin or placebo. Additionally, no significant differences were found between groups in overall epilepsy incidence and drug-resistant epilepsy at 24 months, time to first seizure after randomization, and secondary developmental outcomes. Incidence of infantile spasms was lower and time to spasms after randomization was later in the vigabatrin group. Adverse events were similar across groups., Interpretation: Preventative treatment with vigabatrin based on EEG epileptiform activity prior to seizure onset does not improve neurocognitive outcome at 24 months in TSC children, nor does it delay onset or lower the incidence of focal seizures and drug-resistant epilepsy at 24 months. Preventative vigabatrin was associated with later time to onset and lower incidence of infantile spasms. ANN NEUROL 2023., (© 2023 The Authors. Annals of Neurology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Neurological Association.)

Background: Giant pituitary adenomas are benign intracranial tumours with a diameter ≥4 cm. Even if hormonally non-functional, they may still cause local extension, leading to symptoms that include mostly gland dysfunction, mass effects, and, much less frequently, apoplexy due to haemorrhage or infarction. Neurological presentation of giant pituitary tumour apoplexy is even more rare and has not been systematically reviewed. Case Presentation: An 81-year-old woman was admitted to the Emergency Department because of acute onset headache, bilateral visual deficit, and altered consciousness. Computed tomography showed a giant mass lesion (>5.5 cm diameter) expanding upward to the suprasellar cistern, optic chiasm, and third ventricle, over-running the sphenoid sinus, and with lateral invasion of the cavernous sinus. Laboratory investigations revealed central adrenal and hypothyroidism insufficiency, while magnetic resonance imaging confirmed a voluminous suprasellar tumour (~6 cm diameter), with signs of pituitary tumour apoplexy. Neurological manifestations and gland-related deficits improved after hormonal replacement therapy with a high dose of intravenous hydrocortisone, followed by oral hydrocortisone and levo-thyroxine. The patient declined surgical treatment and follow-up visit. Conclusions: Giant pituitary tumour apoplexy is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition. Prompt diagnosis and multidisciplinary management may allow a remarkable clinical improvement, as seen in this case.

Background: In 2016, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration expressed concern that neurodevelopment may be negatively affected by anesthesia or sedation exposure in pregnancy or before three years of age. We examined the association between general anesthesia at the time of cesarean delivery and early childhood neurodevelopment., Methods: A secondary analysis of a multicenter randomized controlled trial assessing magnesium for prevention of cerebral palsy in infants at risk for preterm delivery. Exposure was general compared to neuraxial anesthesia. The primary outcome was motor or mental delay at two years of age, assessed by Bayley Scales of Infant Development II (BSIDII). Secondary outcomes included BSIDII subdomains and perinatal outcomes. Multivariable logistic regression models were performed to control for confounders., Results: Of 557 women undergoing cesarean delivery, 119 (21%) received general anesthesia. There were no differences in the primary composite outcome of developmental delay (aOR 0.93, 95% CI 0.61 to 1.43) or the BSIDII subdomains of mild, moderate, or severe mental delay, or mild or moderate motor delay. Severe motor delay was more common among infants exposed to general anesthesia (aOR 1.98, 95% CI 1.06 to 3.69). Infants exposed to general anesthesia had longer neonatal intensive care stays (51 vs 37 days, P=0.010)., Conclusions: General anesthesia for cesarean delivery was not associated with overall neurodevelopmental delay at two years of age, except for greater odds of severe motor delay. Future studies should evaluate this finding, as well as the impact on neurodevelopment of longer or multiple anesthetic exposures across all gestational ages., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: we report on the first case of a woman affected by chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) and recessive myotonia congenita (MC), treated with mexiletine. We aimed at describing the possible role of mexiletine in CIDP management., Patient Concerns: A 44-year-old female affected by CIDP and MC, gained beneficial effects for CIDP symptoms (muscle weakness, cramps, and fatigue) and relapses, after mexiletine intake (200 mg twice a day). The patient presented with detrimental effects after mexiletine drop out, with a worsening of CIDP symptoms., Interventions: The patient reported a nearly complete remission of muscle stiffness and weakness up to 3 years since mexiletine intake. Then, she developed an allergic reaction with glottis edema, maybe related to mexiletine intake, as per emergency room doctors' evaluation, who suggested withdrawing the drug., Outcomes: The patient significantly worsened after the medication drop out concerning both CIDP and MC symptoms., Conclusion: This is the first report on the association of CIDP and MC in the same patient. Such diseases may share some clinical symptoms related to a persistent sodium currents increase, which maybe due either to the over-expression of sodium channels following axonal damage due to demyelination or to the chloride channel genes mutations. This is the possible reason why mexiletine maybe promising to treat CIDP symptoms.

Aims: This study provides information on how two standardized measures based on different theoretical frameworks can be used in collecting information on motor development and performance in 4- and 5-year-olds with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The purpose of the study was to determine the concurrent validity of the Miller Function and Participation Scales (M-FUN) with the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales, Second Edition (PDMS-2) in young children with ASD., Methods: The gross motor sections of the PDMS-2 and the M-FUN were administered to 22 children with ASD between the ages of 48 and 71 months. Concurrent validity between overall motor scores and agreement in identification of motor delay were assessed., Results: A very strong correlation (Pearson's r =.851) was found between the M-FUN scale scores and the PDMS-2 gross motor quotients (GMQs). Strong agreement in identification of children with average motor skills and delayed motor skills at 1.5 standard deviations below the mean was also found., Conclusions: This study supports the concurrent validity of the M-FUN with the PDMS-2 for young children with ASD. While both tests provide information regarding motor delay, the M-FUN may provide additional information regarding the neurological profile of the child.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between gross motor skills and social function in young boys with autism spectrum disorder., Methods: Twenty-one children with autism spectrum disorder participated in the study. The Peabody Developmental Motor Scales Second Edition and the Miller Function and Participation Scales were used to assess gross motor skills. The Social Skills Improvement System Rating Scales was used to assess social function., Results: Moderately high correlations were found between overall gross motor and social skills (r = 0.644) and between the core stability motor subtest and overall social skills (r = -0.672). Specific motor impairments in stability, motor accuracy, and object manipulation scores were predictive of social function., Conclusions: This study suggests that motor skills and social function are related in young boys with autism. Implications for physical therapy intervention are also discussed.

Background: Male infants are more prone to health problems and developmental delays than female infants., Objectives: On the basis of theories of gender differences in brain development and social relationships, we explored associations between testosterone and cortisol levels with infant cognitive, motor, and language development ("infant development") in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants, controlling for mother-infant interactions, characteristics of mothers and infants, and days of saliva collection after birth., Methods: A total of 62 mother-VLBW infant pairs were recruited from the newborn intensive care unit of a tertiary medical center in the Southeast United States. Data were collected through infant medical record review, biochemical measurement, observation of mother-infant interactions, and standard questionnaires. Infant development was assessed at 6 months corrected age (CA), and mother-infant interactions were observed at 3 and 6 months CA., Results: General linear regression with separate analyses for each infant gender showed that high testosterone levels were positively associated with language development of male infants after controlling for mother-infant interactions and other covariates, whereas high cortisol levels were negatively associated with motor development of female infants after controlling for mother-infant interactions., Conclusions: Steroid hormonal levels may well be more fundamental factors for assessing infant development than infant gender or mother-infant interactions at 6 months CA.

Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) and type 2 (DM2) are the most common adult form of muscular dystrophy, characterized by autosomal dominant progressive myopathy, myotonia, and multiorgan involvement. The onset and symptoms of the myotonic dystrophies are diverse, complicating their diagnoses and limiting a comprehensive approach to their clinical care. Diagnostic delay in DM2 is due not only to the heterogeneous phenotype and the aspecific onset but also to the unfamiliarity with the disorder by most clinicians. Moreover, the DM2 diagnostic odyssey is complicated by the difficulties to develop an accurate, robust, and cost-effective method for a routine molecular assay. The aim of this review is to underline by challenging approach the diagnostic limits and pitfalls that could results in failure to recognize the presence of DM2 disease. Understanding and preventing delays in DM2 diagnosis may facilitate family planning, improve symptom management in the short term, and facilitate more specific treatment in the long term.

Unlabelled: Mental work may promote caloric intake, whereas exercise may offset positive energy balance by decreasing energy intake and increasing energy expenditure., Purpose: This study aimed to replicate previous findings that mental work increases caloric intake compared with a rest condition and assess whether exercise after mental work can offset this effect., Methods: Thirty-eight male and female university students were randomly assigned to mental work + rest (MW + R) or mental work + exercise (MW + E). Participants also completed a baseline rest (BR) visit consisting of no mental work or exercise. Visit order was counterbalanced. During the MW + R or MW + E visit, participants completed a 20-min mental task and either a 15-min rest (MW + R) or a 15-min interval exercise (MW + E). Each visit ended with an ad libitum pizza lunch. A two-way repeated-measures ANOVA was used to compare eating behavior between groups., Results: Participants in the MW + R condition consumed an average of 100 more kilocalories compared with BR (633.3 ± 72.9 and 533.9 ± 67.7, respectively, P = 0.02), and participants in MW + E consumed an average of 25 kcal less compared with BR (432.3 ± 69.2 and 456.5 ± 64.2, respectively, P > 0.05). When including the estimated energy expenditure of exercise in the MW + E conditions, participants were in negative energy balance by an average of 98.5 ± 41.5 kcal, resulting in a significant difference in energy balance between the two groups (P = 0.001)., Conclusion: An acute bout of interval exercise after mental work resulted in significantly decreased food consumption compared with a nonexercise condition. These results suggest that an acute bout of exercise may be used to offset positive energy balance induced by mental tasks.

Background: Myasthenia gravis (MG) is an autoimmune disorder presenting with fluctuating, fatigable muscle weakness. Initial symptoms classically involve ocular and proximal limb muscles. Rarely, MG may onset with unusual features, so it can be misdiagnosed with other neuromuscular diseases., Objective: To describe unusual and atypical presentations of MG in a large cohort of patients, considering and discussing diagnostic difficulties and pitfalls., Methods: We report on 21 out of 508 MG patients, coming to our department in the last 27 years and presenting with atypical or unusual features. The diagnosis was achieved performing a careful clinical examination, a proper neurophysiological assessment, the neostigmine test, the AChR and MuSK antibodies assay and chest CT-scan., Results: Patients with atypical/unusual MG onset were the 4.4% of all MG patients population. We describe seven different clinical categories: asymmetric distal upper limbs weakness, foot drop, isolated triceps brachii weakness and foot drop, post exertional axial weakness with dropped head, acute facial dyplegia, limb-girdle MG and MG with sudden lower limbs weakness and recurrent falls., Conclusions: Atypical and unusual presentations may increase the risk to misdiagnose or delay MG diagnosis. Isolated limb-girdle presentation is the most frequent atypical form in our series.

The sarcoglycan sub-complex is a protein system which plays a key role in sarcolemma stabilization during muscle activity. Although numerous studies have been conducted on this system, there are few data about its localization in non-muscular tissues. On this basis we carried out an indirect immunofluorescence study on normal rat cerebral and cerebellar cortex. In particular, we carried out single localization reactions to analyze if these proteins are present in brain and double localization reactions between sarcoglycans and either SMI-32 or GFAP to verify if they are expressed both in neurons and glial cells. We found that all tested sarcoglycans are present both in cerebral and cerebellar cortex and that they are expressed both in neurons and glial cells. The typical staining pattern of all sarcoglycans is represented by "spot-like" fluorescence, with spots of 0.5-2 microm average diameter laid out mainly around the soma of the cells. The main difference about sarcoglycans expression between cerebral and cerebellar cortex is that in the cerebellar cortex the sarcoglycans positivity is detectable only in an area which is likely to correspond to Purkinje cells layer. The presence of sarcoglycans in cerebral and cerebellar cortex and their disposition mainly around the soma of the cells suggest a role of these proteins in cellular signalling and in regulating postsynaptic receptor assembly mainly in axo-somatic synapses.

PURPOSE. To determine the feasibility of implementing an infant massage intervention and to evaluate the preliminary effects of infant massage on HIV-infected mothers and their infants. DESIGN AND METHODS. In this two-group, randomized controlled pilot study, intervention group mothers were taught to perform infant massage daily for 10 weeks. RESULTS. Infant massage training had a positive impact on maternal depression, parental distress, and infant growth along with facilitating more optimal parent-child interactions. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS. Infant massage, a quick, easy, and inexpensive intervention, is feasible in a clinic setting and may benefit human immunodeficiency virus-infected mothers and their infants., (© 2011, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the association between in utero exposure to acute inflammation and long-term major neurodevelopmental disability at age 6 years among children born prior to 32 weeks' gestation., Study Design: This was a follow-up investigation of a cohort of maternal-infant dyads delivered between 23 and < 32 weeks' gestation. Surviving infants (and their mothers or caregivers) underwent a battery of psychological and neurodevelopmental tests between 5 and 8 years of age. Pregnancy and neonatal data were analyzed among children with versus those without major neurodevelopmental disability (including IQ < 70 [n = 41], cerebral palsy [CP, n = 11], and a composite major disability [n = 52])., Results: A total of 261 (70%) of the 375 maternal-infant dyads with surviving children were successfully recruited and evaluated at 6.8 +/- 0.7 years. Mean delivery gestational age (GA) and birthweight were 28.8 +/- 2.2 weeks and 1163 +/- 382 g, respectively. Neither surrogate indicators for nor direct markers of in utero exposure to acute inflammation were significantly associated with severe adverse outcomes. Delivery GA was significantly associated with outcome. Logistic regression indicated that each increasing gestational week was associated with a significantly decreased risk of an IQ < 70 (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.6-0.9). An average 1.9 point increase in IQ at 6 years of age was observed per gestational week gained (23 to 32 weeks). Periventricular leukomalacia was associated with a 9.6 point mean deficit in IQ. The perceptive vocabulary scores (IQ proxy) of primary caregivers were significantly lower among children with an IQ < 70 vs > or = 70 (87.5 +/- 11.5 vs 92.1 +/- 11.2, P = .016)., Conclusion: Among children born between 23 and 32 weeks' gestation, neonatal complications, GA at delivery, and caregiver IQ, but not in utero exposure to acute inflammation, were associated with increased risk of severe adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes at age 6 years.

Objectives: To examine the influences from life stress and the hypothesized protective variables of social competence, family functioning, and peer social engagement on quality of life (QL) in adolescents with mobility disabilities within a stress-resilience model., Methods: Variables were assessed with questionnaires completed by 159 adolescents with a mobility disability (aged 11-18 years) and their parents. Both more subjective and objective QL measures were completed using both adolescent and parent reports., Results: Increased life stress was associated with worse QL. Hypothesized protective variables were used to explain significant variance in more subjective, but not objective, measures of QL beyond covariates and life stress. The hypothesized protective variables, however, did not moderate the effects of life stress on QL. There was a cumulative effect from the hypothesized protective variables such that adolescents with more of these factors had more subjective QL than those with just one factor, regardless of the specific factor., Conclusions: Consistent with the tested model, interventions to improve QL in adolescents with a mobility disability may focus on reducing life stress and developing resilience by enhancing a variety of personal and social resources.

Objective: (1) Identify major determinants of adverse neurodevelopmental outcome in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants. (2) Compare neural networks and regression analysis in the prediction of major handicaps and Bayley scores (MDI and PDI) in individual ELBW neonates followed to 18 months., Study Design: Retrospective cohort study of regional tertiary care NICU database. A database with 21 selected variables was divided into training (n = 144) and test sets (n = 74). The training set was used to train a neural network and develop regression equations to predict outcomes in the test set., Results: Determinants (descending order of contribution to variance): Major handicap: intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) grade, necrotizing enterocolitis > or = stage II, black race, and no chorioamnionitis; low MDI: IVH grade, plurality, bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), lower maternal grade, and no chorioamnionitis; low PDI: IVH grade, BPD, periventricular leukomalacia, lower maternal grade, and no chorioamnionitis. Regression techniques and neural networks were comparable and had relatively low sensitivity and correlation with adverse outcomes., Conclusion: Much of the variance in ELBW neurologic outcome cannot be explained by either regression analysis or neural network approaches.

The importance of comparison and message-formulation skills in referential communication was studied with severely mentally retarded children. A store game task was used that required the child to communicate a choice of one or two objects on a shelf. Comparison training taught the children to select the appropriate object when paired with a similar but inappropriate object. Message training taught the children to communicate by pointing and/or gesturing. Results indicated that combined comparison and message training produced higher communication accuracy than did comparison training alone. Comparison training, however, increased subjects' accuracy of communicating as compared to an untrained control group. A parallel pattern of results was found for communication frequency. The training groups either maintained or improved their communicative performance in a near-generalization task, suggesting that they learned communicative behavior and not merely task-specific behavior.

Two experiments were reported investigating the conditions that elicit request-making in the moderately and the severely mentally retarded. In both experiments single-subject designs were used with a store game task designed to closely approximate a naturalistic communication situation. In the first experiment moderately retarded adults were able to consistently communicate which of two objects they wished to obtain from a store counter. In the second, severely retarded adolescents initially made some errors but communicated effectively on 100% of the trials by the end of the experiment. These results contrast markedly with the results from the less naturalistic task used previously. In both experiments the amount of verbalization was greater when the task was arranged to create a demand for communication. Applications of these findings to everyday communicative situations involving the mentally retarded are discussed.

We measured vision function in a number of 7-month-old infants with intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and compared these findings to those for 7-month-old infants of normal birth weight. The IUGR infants had an average visual acuity of 6/162 (20/540) and an average spherical refractive error of 1.49 D hyperopia. The normal birth weight infants had an average visual acuity of 6/118.8 (20/396) and an average spherical refractive error of 0.94 D hyperopia. However, the differences between the infant groups for visual acuity and refractive error were not statistically significant. Anisometropia, astigmatism, and strabismus were infrequent for both infant groups. The results of this study suggest that IUGR infants have visual abilities resembling those of normal birth weight infants.