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…

The incidence of congenital hearing loss in the United Kingdom is noted, and the use of a universal behavioral hearing screen at the age of seven or eight months, implemented by Health Visitors, is described. Procedures involved in identification, diagnosis, and management are discussed. (JDD)

A program was implemented in Oregon to screen infants at risk for hearing impairment, based on a birth certificate question concerning family history of hearing loss and subsequent parent notification of the need to have the infant's hearing tested. Preliminary results concerning efficacy of the program are reported. (JDD)

The importance of early identification of hearing loss in children and progress toward newborn screening is discussed, along with consequences of delayed identification. The history and status of early screening at national and state levels and specific types of screening methods for bilateral and unilateral sensorineural hearing loss are…

Illustrates the important role that fathers play in their infants' social and emotional development. Notes that not only are infants more socially responsive when they are securely attached to both mother and father but such a secure attachment to the father can help to prevent harmful consequences of insecure attachments. (HTH)

Developmental psychologist Ainsworth discusses early influences on her work in attachment theory; similarities and differences in attachment behaviors across cultures; construction of assessments and research designs; individual differences in attachment and maternal support; and the influence of early relationships on later ones. (HTH)

Discusses Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), accepted as leading known cause of mental retardation. Relates chronicity, timing, and severity of alcohol exposure to age-specific developmental and behavioral consequences. Delineates specific interventions with infants, preschoolers, school-age children, and adolescents. Advocates for accurate diagnosis…

Discusses the three "developmental crises" that take place during infancy and early childhood, namely birth, weaning, and opposition to parental authority. The latter crisis is best overcome by presenting toddlers with choices and working with them to demonstrate their importance in the family as independent human beings. (MDM)

This cross-national assessment of the empirical determinants of income inequality and infant mortality employs policy-relevant variables suggested by the major macrosocial theory of development and stratification. Findings indicate that modernization and ecological-evolutionary theories provide more consistent explanations of social inequalities…

Comparison of 72 middle and 72 low socioeconomic status (SES) families of infants with developmental disabilities, on measures of maternal stress and infant development, found that regression analyses predicted 81% of the variance in later developmental level from initial Bayley Mental Age, initial Mental Development Index, SES, initial maternal…

Many children come to school without the essential loving backgrounds they need to learn effectively. Children's experiences in the first months and years of life determine how they will later manage their lives and how readily they will use opportunities for formal learning. Meeting infants' and toddlers' needs--providing a "heart…

A randomized clinical trial procedure was used at eight program sites to determine the impact of the Infant Health and Development Program (IHDP), a parental education and support and child care program, on the home environment of 985 infants. Differences favoring intervention were apparent at three years, suggesting favorable program impact. (SLD)

This article summarizes data regarding the use of transient evoked otoacoustic emissions (TEOAE) in a universal newborn screening program and describes various facets of program implementation. It concludes that data show that TEOAE can be used to significantly reduce the average age of identification for hearing loss in the U.S. (Author/DB)

Reports the results of the National Adoption Study of Canada (NAS), which is based on demographic adoption statistics and a survey of adoption agencies and practitioners. The NAS found that between 1981 and 1990 the number of adoptions decreased by 47% and that private adoptions are accounting for an ever-increasing proportion of infant…

In this longitudinal study, changes in parental labelling and infants' categorization skills were examined as potential predictors of vocabulary acquisition, the age of the naming explosion, and the acquisition of subordinate labels. Findings suggest that the influence of each factor varies as a function of the stage and aspect of lexical…