OBJECTIVETo study the mental developments in high risk children and the impact of the high risk factors on neurologic abnormalities, mental defect and long-term outcome.

METHODSThe mental development of 122 children who had been exposed to high-risk factors and treated between March 1994 to May 1995 during their newborn periods was evaluated. Gesell development scales were performed when they were at 6 and 12 months old. And Wechsler intelligence scales for children (Chinese version) were performed at 6 approximately 7 years old.

RESULTSThe children exposed to hypoglycemia during their newborn period and preterm labor had significantly lower IQ, VIQ and PIQ scores (P <0.05). The other risk factors in order were low birth weight, severe anoxia, asphyxia at birth, erythrocythemia, hyperbilirubinemia. There was significant difference between the children exposed to one risk factor and those exposed to two or more risk factors (P <0.05). And there was significant correlation between developmental assessment at 6 and 12 months and mental development at 6 approximately 7 years old (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe impact of the high risk factors at birth on children's mental development is not negligible. And the risk of development abnormalities will increase if the children were exposed to multiple risk factors. The evaluation of development at 6 approximately 12 months is of predictive value for long-term outcome.