Behavior development in normal neonates.

The behavior of normal neonates was studied on day 3, 10 and 30 of life with the help of Brazlton's Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS). The behavior items were clustered and each cluster was scored. The cluster scores increased on subsequent observations in both term and preterm neonates, the increase usually being significant. The corresponding cluster scores were significantly higher in term babies than preterms. Preterms with questionable delay in development at 3 months of age had significantly lower 30th day scores in 3 of the 7 clusters