Ten girls, mature at birth, who suffered severe fetal growth retardation (< third percentile), but were without evidence of congenital disease, have been followed serially in growth and development for at least seven years. The five infants whose head circumferences at 1 year of age were found to be at or below the tenth percentile had, on the average, an IQ of ten points below the five whose head growth had reached the 25th percentile or better. No neurologic handicaps or significant school deficits were encountered in either group. The mean IQ of 103 for the whole group in this small sample indicated that severe undergrowth in single-born infants, uncomplicated by acute asphyxia or congenital disease, may not prejudice later mental development.
Disproportionate head growth retardation in cystic fibrosis.
