IS MINOR NEUROLOGICAL DYSFUNCTION AT 12 YEARS RELATED TO BEHAVIOR AND COGNITION

Behavioural and cognitive development at 12 years were studied in 172 children with and 174 children without minor neurological dysfunction (MND). MND could be differentiated into fine manipulative disability, co-ordination problems, hypotonia and choreiform dyskinesia. Fine manipulative disability related significantly to problems of cognition and behaviour; co-ordination problems to cognitive problems; and hypotonia and choreiform dyskinesia to behavioural problems, the former more than the latter. Socio-economic status and family adversity contributed to the risk for development of both cognitive and behavioural problems; gender did not. The onset of puberty seemed to change these relationships: follow-up is needed for definite conclusions.