Chapter Four. The Neuropsychological Screening of the Infant before Its Discharge from Hospital

The neuropsychological screening of the infant, in addition to a neurological examination, is carried out only when the infant is in the lower-dependency room, or when it has reached term and its discharge is imminent. During the earlier phases of hospitalization (for reasons explained in chapter three, and in particular in Box 5), the assessment of neurological maturation and of possible nervous system distress is performed through infant observation. The clinical examination is compared with the functional activities of the nervous system and morphological elements resulting from examinations such as the EEG and ultrasound, performed on the newborn in the standard manner (Couchard, De Bethmann, & Sciot, 1982).

The neuropsychological screening of the preterm newborn—and of newborn infants generally, especially during the first stage—is based on observation, as outlined and illustrated in this chapter. This approach is in line with indications given at present by the major European and American schools (Cioni & Prechtl, 1988; Korner et al., 1987; Milani Comparetti, 1982b; Prechtl, 1984; Touwen, 1990). The above-mentioned researchers