[Infant psychiatry].

Infant psychiatry is a discipline concerned with diagnostic assessment, treatment, and prevention of mental health problems in infancy and early childhood. A new diagnostic framework: Zero to three (DC 0-3) has been designed to complement the ICD 10/DSM IV, including new diagnostic categories, and a multiaxial construct addressing developmental and relational aspects. Prevalence and outcome for mental retardation and pervasive developmental disorders are well known. Our knowledge of variations in attachment patterns, disorders of neurophysiological regulation, eating disorders, failure to thrive, emotional, affective, and behavioural problems, disorders of relating and communication, and eventually parent-child relationship disorders is still incomplete. It is recommended to use video and combine clinical evaluation with structured tests in assessment. Intervention may include guidance, psychoeducation, psychotherapy, as well as social and educational support. Parent-child relationship treatment seems effective. Evaluating intervention and treatment raises immense methodological problems. Future research should address how risk and resilience interacts in the psychopathological process and enhance our knowledge of effective intervention strategies.