This study followed a small group of children exposed to pre- and perinatal health threats to determine whether any psychological effects of the health threat could be identified and if so, whether there is potential in pediatric care to prevent such consequences. The 67 infants were all members of low income families. The tests used included the Parental Attitudes Research Instrument (PARI) and maternal interval histories (about financial stress, housing difficulties and illnesses) taken every four months. Interval histories on the children's behavior were taken when the children were 18 months old. The findings indicate that maternal concern about health or outcome increases the likelihood of deviant behavior in children with histories of threat. These concerned mothers can be identified at the point of stress for intervention due to their fears of loss or defect in their children. Though environmental stresses do not increase the incidence of deviations, they may obscure for the physician the effect of maternal concern about a health threat. Intensive social work services in collaboration with the medical care is required if an intervention program is to reach vulnerable mother-infant pairs. [Not available in hard copy due to marginal legibility of original document.] (Author/AJ)