Going forth to meet the environment: a developmental study of seven infants with esophageal atresia

The development of seven esophageal atresia infants is described. These children differed in the quality of maternal care received and the amount of oral experience permitted during the first year of life. Observation of these infants suggest differences between effects of maternal depression and effects of abnormal oral experiences and provide additional insights on the early formation of motivated activity or intentionality.