[The neurological investigation of newborn infants as selection criterium in the early detection of infantile cerebral palsy].

The development of 131 infants at risk was followed up at three-month intervals during the first year of life. In mature babies positive neurological findings in the newborn period corresponded closely with the development of infantile cerebral palsy. 89% of the infants who subsequently developed cerebral palsy showed pathological signs in the newborn period. However, abnormal postnatal neurological findings were also observed in 26% of the infants showing normal development. No such correlation was demonstrable in regard to the premature infants. This is probably a consequence of the numerous pitfalls in the neurological evaluation of premature babies. Only those mature babies showing abnormal neurological signs in the newborn period should be alloted to an at-risk group in respect to the development of cerebral palsy. Premature infants should be included, irrespective of the neurological findings.