Review - CHILDREN WITH DEVELOPMENTAL DISORDERS IN THE MEDICAL CARE SYSTEM

Objective: The presentation of work methods of the Registry for Babies at Risk and Handicapped Children and the Clinic for Children with Neurodevelopmental Disorders as well as their significance in the early detection, early treatment and the long-term follow up of these children. This has been obtained in collaboration with neonatologists and the primary health care physicians.
Material and methods: Between 1^st January 1982 and 31^st December 2001, 40.023 children were born in the city of Rijeka. 3405 (8.5%) children were entered at the Registry with one or more risk factors at birth or in the early neonatal period.
Results: 138 (4.05%) out of the total number of 3405 babies at risk have cerebral palsy. The worst outcome, out of all analysed risk factors, is caused by: prematurity, asphyxia, neurological symptomatology and a serious illness in the neonatal period.
Conclusion: The registration of babies at risk and their long-term follow up is a way of early detection of children with developmental disorders. However, the development of babies at risk can be normal, while children without any risk factors at birth can develop some forms of disability.