The comparative value of various parameters of neonatal prematurity for differentiating intellective, scholastic, and social functioning in middle childhood was assessed for a sample of 38 prematurely born and 26 maturely born subjects aged 7 to 9.5 years. (Author/JMB)

Families of full-term (N=17) and preterm (N=17) infants were followed throughout the first year of life to examine amount of (and relationship between) reported stress and support services received. Among results was that stress at three months was significantly negatively related to concurrent measures of formal support. (Author/JW)

Interviewed 24 parents whose children were hospitalized for low birth weight to assess the availability and use of social support during the child's hospitalization and after discharge. The overall adjustment of parents to their child was then rated. Findings indicated a significant positive relationship between support and adjustment. (JAC)

Studied the sleep state organization and EEG patterns at term date in 53 preterm infants as an index of the maturity and integrity of neurophysiological organization that may have implications for their later development. (HOD)

The Carolina Record of Infant Behavior was used to assess the stability from 3 months to 1 year of such characteristics as activity level, irritability, and social responsiveness in 39 preterm infants at risk for developmental disorders. The most stability was observed on such developmentally based items as social orientation. (Author/JW)

Describes the development of 126 preterm infants studied throughout their first 2 years of life and then retested at age 5. Examines social-environmental factors in the interaction between infant and mother that are associated with more-or-less successful mental development. (AS)

Reviews current research on a woman's chances of bearing twins and the genetic relationship, prenatal competition, and personality similarities between twins. In addition, the nature/nurture controversy is discussed in terms of evidence from studies of identical twins reared apart. Future studies are suggested to discover the ways twinning might…

Incidence of self-scratching injuries were examined in 300 newborns divided into subject groups based on birth weight, gestational age, Apgar score, mode of delivery, and the presence or absence of delivery complications. Injuries were attributed to normal neonatal movements; degree of injuries may reflect the maturity and physical activity of the…

This investigation also studied the relationship between gestational age and preferences for contour. (CB)

Data from nearly 30,000 pregnant and third decade (20-29 years) mothers show that small infant size among teenage mothers is consistent with the mother's size and not directly related to early age at conception. Third decade mothers of comparable size give birth to infants with essentially the same characteristics and problems. (Author/GC)

Addresses three questions: (1) To what extent do risk factors of prematurity and illness affect neonatal characteristics? (2) Do these risk factors continue to account for differences in mother and infant social interactive behavior at three months? and (three) To what degree are neonatal characteristics predictive of mother and infant behavior at…

Describes the relationship between neonatal crying and anthropometric indices of fetal growth. No differences were found between cry features of underweight and overweight infants; both groups required more stimulation than average weight infants to elicit crying. It is suggested that certain cry features may reflect the risk status of neonates…

Full-term middle-class, full-term lower-class, and preterm infants were compared on cross-modal and visual intramodal functioning in order to determine whether cross-modal functioning would be impaired in infants born prematurely, or in full-term infants who were being raised in less advantaged environments. (MP)

Caregiver-infant transactions with 51 premature infants were studied in naturalistic observations in the home when the infants were aged 1, 3, and 8 months. Gesell developmental schedules and a sensorimotor scale were administered at 9 months. (Author/JH)