neurobehavioral anomalies in neonates with seizures

Abstract

Neurobehavioral evaluation of the high-risk neonate represents an important advance in early detection of behavioral anomalies which may give rise to later neuropsychological sequelae. In the present study neonates comprising three diagnostic categories (i.e., respiratory distressed, seizure-disordered, normals) were evaluated with the Brazelton Neonatal Behavior Assessment Scale (BNBAS) to determine the extent to which differences in neurobehavioral organization could be detected with the scale, and how they were related to diagnostic classification. Average conceptional age at testing for the three groups was within the range usually considered full term: e.g., 38.81 weeks (respiratory distressed), 40.18 weeks (normal healthy) and 42.54 weeks (seizure disorder). Infants who had been diagnosed with neonatal seizures exhibited consistently less optimal behavior than did either of the other two groups. Infants with respiratory distress and normal controls did not differ significantly on most summary measures of neurobehavioral organization scored with the BNBAS. The study offers support for the discriminative validity of the BNBAS and its potential usefulness in the assessment of clinically ill newborns.

A neuropsychological perspective on perinatal complications and the law

“…A host of neurologic deficits, including mental retardation, seizure disorders, spasticity, choreoathetosis, and ataxia may follow such injury (Crothers & Paine, 1959;Emory, Tynan, & Dave, 1989;McDonald, 1973). Brain structures along the auditory pathway are particularly susceptible to damage from asphyxia (Myers, 1975;Murray, 1988).…”

“…Perinatal complications are now becoming an increasingly investigated topic in neuropsychological research (Emory & Mapp, 1988;Emory, Tynan, & Dave, 1989;Gray & Dean, 1988). With some regularity, I am asked by other neuropsychologists and attorneys to consult with them or render an opinion regarding the perinatal contribution to neuropsychological impairments in an infant or child.…”