The goal of this study was to describe the provision of intervention services to children with congenital Zika syndrome (CZS) in a large health care institution located in Recife, Brazil, and family factors related to intervention involvement, through the lens of family-centered developmental--behavioral pediatric care principles. Caregivers (N =…

Congenital heart disease (CHD), the result of structural changes to the heart present at birth, is the most common congenital birth condition. As survival rates for infants with complex CHD have increased in recent years, risk for neurodevelopmental challenges has also increased. Early referral to developmentally supportive care is recommended as…

Zika virus infection-associated microcephaly has generated public health and media concern. Unsettling images emerging from Brazil of infants with abnormally small heads have raised concern among women of childbearing age, international travelers, government officials, and health care professionals. The World Health Organization declared the most…

Velocardiofacial syndrome (VCFS), the most common microdeletion syndrome, is increasingly diagnosed in young children because of advances in diagnostic testing. The result is an increase in the number of young children with VCFS referred for early intervention (EI) services. We describe early development of children with VCFS and strategies to…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors that affect maternal attachment among mothers whose infants were born with congenital anomalies. A questionnaire was used to collect individual sociodemographic data, and the Maternal Attachment Inventory was used to collect information about the emotional attachment of mothers to infants…

Background: Children born very low birth weight (VLBW) are at increased risk for regulatory difficulties. However, identifying toddlers at risk has been impeded by a lack of screening measures appropriate for this population. Methods: We studied the nature of dysregulation in toddlers born VLBW (N = 32) using the Infant-Toddler Social and…

Infants with congenital heart disease (CHD) that is severe enough to require early surgery are at risk for cognitive and motor delays, as well as musculoskeletal impairments, and are best managed by an interdisciplinary team during their hospital stay and after discharge. The purpose of this article is to review some of the risk factors associated…

Evidence that genetic factors play a significant role in susceptibility for autism is reviewed, especially: (1) chromosomal abnormalities associated with autism; (2) single gene disorders associated with autism; and (3) twin and family studies of autism. However, recent genetic studies have failed to locate any genes having a major effect on…

This article proposes use of birth defects registries in facilitating early intervention. It reports results of a survey to identify state programs that are using, or planning to use, birth defects surveillance systems to identify and refer children and families for services. It provides four case examples and recommended steps to encourage use of…

This article examines the clinical aspects of etiology-related behaviors in young children with genetic mental retardation syndromes. Discussion of the concept of behavioral phenotype leads to consideration of how interventionists can best provide more focused and more effective interventions for children with different genetic disorders and…

Analysis of 51 studies of developmental effects of prenatal exposure to alcohol in children from birth to 72 months found that, although adverse outcomes were found within each domain, age grouping, and exposure category, they comprised fewer than 50% of all outcomes measured. Most adverse outcomes were found in the neurobehavioral domain with…

There is an increased incidence of language-learning disabilities with dyslexia by school age. As infants and toddlers, these children have neuromotor and speech dysfunction within their first year. This article postulates that the language and motor dysfunction is caused by infantile presentation of developmental dyspraxia rather than a…

The identification of clusters of behavior that are commonly seen in infants with prenatal drug exposure is discussed, as are intervention techniques that have been successful in hospital and home programs. Reading behavioral cues, modifying the environment, and providing support for the infant's attempts at self-regulation are suggested.…