Neurobehavioural relationships after the onset of puberty

The behavioural and cognitive development were studied of 68 children with and 259 without minor neurological function (MND) at 14 years, when the majority of children showed three or more physical signs of puberty. MND was differentiated into fine manipulative disability, co-ordination problems, choreiform dyskinesia and hypotonia. The normal group was subdivided into those who had been normal at 12 years and those who had had MND. All types of MND were related to cognitive and behavioural problems. Fine manipulative disability was related to behavioural and cognitive difficulties; co-ordination problems to learning difficulties; and choreiform dyskinesia and hypotonia were related to attention difficulties and school failure, notwithstanding normal IQ. Besides MND, socio-economic class, family adversities and female gender contributed to the development of behavioural and cognitive problems. The behaviour of children with MND at 12 years who were normal at 14 years did not differ from that of normal children.