The Dutch version of the CSI seems to be a reliable and valid self-report measure for assessing somatization symptoms in children and adolescents.

Objective: During the central nervous system (CNS) growth spurt, rapid accretion of long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA) takes place. This particularly concerns docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6n-3) and arachidonic acid (AA, 20:4n-6), which are thought to play important roles in CNS development and function. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between cognitive performance at 7 y of age and LCPUFA levels in umbilical venous plasma phospholipids, representing the prenatal fatty acid availability, and in plasma phospholipids sampled at 7 y. Design: As part of a follow-up study, the cognitive performance of 306 children, born at term, was assessed at 7 y of age with the Kaufman Assessment Battery for Children. Backward stepwise regression analysis was used to study the relationship between the outcomes and LCPUFA status. Social class, maternal intelligence and parenting skills were included as covariables, among others. Results: Results show no significant association with either DHA or AA at birth and the cognitive performance at 7 y of age. The LCPUFA levels at 7 y were not associated with these outcomes either. Consistent with the literature, significant relationships were found between cognitive outcome measures and maternal education, maternal intelligence and the child's birthweight. Conclusions: In conclusion, our results do not provide evidence for a positive association between cognitive performance at 7 y and LCPUFA status at birth or at 7 y of age. Sponsorship: University Hospital Maastricht (Profileringsfonds: financial support) and Royal Numico, Wageningen, The Netherlands (blinded fatty acid analyses of the blood samples at follow-up).

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This study examined correlations between WISC-R and K-ABC subtests in a sample of 101 children referred for learning disabilities. A considerable overlap between the two instruments was found. Separate factor analyses of the WISC-R and K-ABC were conducted. By and large, the WISC-R factor structure was similar to that found for standardization samples. Three factors emerged, namely Verbal Comprehension, Perceptual Organization, and Freedom From Distractibility. In line with earlier findings, the K-ABC factor analysis resulted in two factors: Simultaneous and Sequential Processing. A shorter battery combining subtests from both instruments is discussed.

Quality of spontaneous movements was studied in 15 healthy full-term appropriate for gestational age (AGA) and in 15 full-term small-for gestational age (SGA) newborn infants. All general movements with a minimal duration of 20 seconds were judged on different aspects of movement quality. From the general movements in each group (AGA: n = 106; SGA: n = 187), dominant patterns were isolated. In the AGA Group 3 dominant patterns of general movements were present. In the SGA Group 5 dominant patterns of general movements were found. Three of those were identical to the movement patterns in the AGA group, the remaining two patterns were unique for the SGA infants. Our results indicate that the three different types of general movements which constitute the major part of the normal repertoire of healthy full-term infants can be used as a reference for normal spontaneous motor behaviour. The two different types of general movements in the SGA infants might be used to discriminate between healthy and neurologically suspect newborn infants. The difference in movement pattern between AGA and SGA infants might be explained by the effect of intrauterine malnutrition on CNS development.