Early behaviour, development and parenting in a very low birthweight infant group.

Thirty-seven mothers, their very low birthweight infants and a matched group of term infants of normal birthweight and their mothers were seen when the infants were 12 months old (corrected for prematurity). Data were collected about infant behaviour and development, mother-infant interaction in a free-play situation, and parenting behaviour indicating child-centred care. Findings for the mother-infant dyads in the two birthweight groups were compared to determine the extent to which the data supported possible outcomes of: differences in behaviour/development only, differences in behaviour/development compounded by disturbances of interaction or parenting, or interaction/parenting disturbances despite apparently normal behaviour and development. Results of this analysis indicated significantly poorer scores for the very low birthweight infants on measures of behaviour and development only. Recent reports that interactional problems, which commonly exist early on, resolve through a process of mother-infant adaptation are discussed in light of the findings of this study. The need to consider developmental problems and interactive failure jointly if early intervention is to be offered is also examined.

Blood lead levels and behaviour of 400 preschool children.

A study of 400 Sydney children of preschool age has found a range of blood lead levels from 0.1 mumol/L to 1.4 mumol/L (2 micrograms/100 mL to 29 micrograms/100 mL), with no children having readings above the currently accepted "level of concern". Within the Sydney metropolitan area, a significant inverse relationship was found between blood lead level and distance of the home from the city centre. Within the range of blood lead levels, no relationship appeared between blood lead levels and performance in verbal intelligence test, three of the tests of motor ability, and a parent rating. In one of the tests of fine motor coordination, there was a tendency for the children with lower lead levels to perform better than those with moderate blood lead levels. In one of the tests of gross motor skill, the results for the two age groups were conflicting. Further studies of a prospective nature covering the period of maximum vulnerability (0 to three years) are essential before any conclusion can be drawn about the effects of subclinical blood levels of lead.