Surveillance of developmental disabilities with an emphasis on special studies

The developing central nervous system seems to be particularly vulnerable to chemical insults. A model for developmental disabilities surveillance is presented that provides a reasonable framework for monitoring the prevalence of various developmental abnormalities in human populations. Effective monitoring will not only increase the likelihood of detecting the adverse effects of new physical or chemical agents in the environment but will provide a readily available case series for specially directed case-control studies. A specific example is provided of a large case-control study of cerebral palsy and intrapartum magnesium exposure among very low birth weight children, which is being conducted within the framework of a developmental disabilities surveillance program.