[The role of gestational factors in the formation of irreversible neurologic handicaps].

A review of the literature shows that intensive neonatal care has reduced the incidence of neurological handicaps in children. Babies born before term and small for date are, however, more exposed to these handicaps. The pregnancy and socio-economical factors which are now known to play a role in the occurrence of prematurity and small-for-date babies bring about acute fetal distress which results in a demand for more intensive care. However, long-term neurological defects also result from these factors. Prospective studies can be used to assign a predictive score for these predisposing factors. The Maternity Hospital in Liège University has been using a score of these factors for more than 10 years to set up "a risk of premature birth coefficient." This could help towards a more scientific prognosis of the neurological state of the infant.