INTRAPARTUM FETAL ASPHYXIA AND THE OCCURRENCE OF MINOR DEFICITS IN 4-YEAR-OLD TO 8-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN

Term newborn infants, 48 of whom had mild intrapartum fetal asphyxia, and 43 controls were assessed between 4 and 8 years of age for evidenc e of selective brain damage and minor deficits, Measures of motor and cognitive development were obtained at 4 and at 6 to 8 years of age. M emory tests, including the Alternation Test and determinations of Exte nded Digit Span, Spatial Memory, and Paired Associate Learning, were g iven annually between 4 and 8 years of age. Assessments of the family, child health, and child behaviour were obtained. There were no differ ences between the asphyxia and control groups for motor or cognitive d evelopment or the serial tests of memory. The two groups did not diffe r in regard to family characteristics, child health, or child behaviou r. These findings indicate that term newborn infants exposed to mild i ntrapartum fetal asphyxia do not have minor motor and cognitive defici ts later in childhood.