[Perinatal stroke--clinical validity of the ET 6-6].

Background: The present study evaluates the role of the clinical use of the ET 6-6 as a general developmental test in assessing impairments following perinatal stroke.

Methods: 32 children aged 36 up to 72 months who had suffered a perinatal stroke were matched with a corresponding control group and assessed by means of the ET 6-6. A specification of developmental difficulties was evaluated according to the localisation of the stroke. Differences in performance were analyzed using nonparametric tests.

Results: The study group showed a significantly lower level of performance in almost every dimension of development. Children with left-hemispheric stroke displayed greater developmental impairment than did children with right-hemispheric or basal ganglia stroke.

Conclusions: These data suggest the applicability of the ET 6-6 in assessing developmental risks caused by perinatal stroke.