Visual information processing in infancy.

Abstract

The author examined the construct validity of visual information processing in infancy (preference for novel visual targets) as a predictor of later neurological outcome. 104 infants with definite (N = 25), questionable (N = 27) or no evidence of neurological dysfunction (N = 52) were tested at three to seven months (corrected age). The mean novelty preference scores differed significantly between the three groups. These differences were not related to demographic data and still existed when the data were corrected for preterm birth and birthweight. These results support the hypothesis that visual information processing at three to seven months (corrected age) is a reflection of neurological intactness and may be useful in the clinical assessment of cortical function in infants.