Pre-school development screening in a health centre--the problem of non-attendance.

Poor attendance at a health centre pre-school child screening clinic (total default rate 41.2 per cent) raises the question of whether selective screening would be a more realistic alternative to comprehensive screening. Furthermore, an analysis of the outcome of screening over one year has shown a low prevalence of abnormalities and underlines the need to justify such programmes as worthwhile screening tests.The most efficient method of detecting child-hood abnormalities at an early a stage as possible remains an open question, but with present financial restrictions and staff shortages, whatever programmes are used, rigorous continuing evaluation is essential.