Origin of handicap in young children.

A survey was carried out of all infants born in Southampton and South-west Hampshire Health District in 1975 to assess the incidence and cause of handicapping conditions at age 2-3 years. Twenty-four infants were identified with major handicap. A prenatal cause was identified in 15 cases, a perinatal cause in 5 cases, and a postnatal cause in 2 cases. No cause was identified in 2 cases. The incidence of cerebral palsy was 1.2 per 1000 live births. There was some evidence for a perinatal cause in half of them.