Aspects of the Six‐month Developmental Examination in a Longitudinal Study

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Abstract
In a longitudinal study concerned with the early detection of delayed and aberrant development, the findings at the six-month examination have been studied in some detail. All births within a given catchment area were included and the results on 1200 babies seen at this age are reported. The findings illustrated that under ordinary clinic conditions not all children achieved the "milestones" expected of them at a particular age. The examinations were carried out in child health clinics by a heterogeneous group of doctors with widely varying training and experience, and this is reflected in the differences between the findings of the more and the less experienced doctors. The problems of follow-up and their implications for total population surveillance programmes are considered. A positive approach to routine developmental examinations is advocated, with the emphasis not only on early detection of developmental problems but also on enabling all children to achieve their optimum potential.