Intrapartum fetal asphyxia and the occurrence of minor deficits in 4- to 8-year-old children.

Term newborn infants, 48 of whom had mild intrapartum fetal asphyxia, and 43 controls were assessed between 4 and 8 years of age for evidence of selective brain damage and minor deficits. Measures of motor and cognitive development were obtained at 4 and at 6 to 8 years of age. Memory tests, including the Alternation Test and determinations of Extended Digit Span, Spatial Memory, and Paired Associate Learning, were given annually between 4 and 8 years of age. Assessments of the family, child health, and child behaviour were obtained. There were no differences between the asphyxia and control groups for motor or cognitive development or the serial tests of memory. The two groups did not differ in regard to family characteristics, child health, or child behaviour. These findings indicate that term newborn infants exposed to mild intrapartum fetal asphyxia do not have minor motor and cognitive deficits later in childhood.