Data were collected from medical records of a cohort of 500 children evaluated between 1973 and 1984 at the Kennedy Institute in Baltimore, Maryland. Maltreatment reporting was documented through the State of Maryland Abuse Registry and the counties of residence of all study children. Results are consistent with reporting statistics that important demographic characteristics are associated with maltreatment referral, namely, that children whose parents are unmarried, have fewer years of formal education, or are not regularly employed, are more likely to be reported than are children of married, better-educated, and employed parents. The study supported the supposition that children with more severe functional or developmental impairments might be at higher risk for maltreatment reports. Findings suggested that marginally functioning children may be at greater risk for maltreatment reporting than are the more impaired children. 5 tables, 60 references. (Author abstract modified)