Neurological Diagnostics

Abstract

It is a sad fact, but we have to admit that our knowledge of the morphological and functional development of the human nervous system is still largely fragmentary. Recent studies have refuted many older beliefs. We do not possess a completely verified, constant set of valid and adequate tests for detecting individual, clinically important functions of the nervous system in early infancy. Sometimes we fail to recognize exactly when a motor manifestation is already abnormal. Despite this, we are obliged to examine term, pre-term, small-for-dates, endangered and sick newborns and older infants, to submit a medical verdict on them, to treat them and to express an opinion on the prognosis. We are expected to be able to distinguish high risk from “normal” or non-risk infants. This is a very difficult task. It entails examining large groups of infants, detecting all the possible known and potential risks as accurately as possible, carefully choosing and/or suggesting the examination method and technique respectively and, after years of repeated examination and selection, describing the “normal” picture or the main features of the abnormal.