1651-2227/asset/olbannercenter.gif?v=1&s=aed7f4736e780f26e96740fe0c8faf09ec8d2946)
Predicting neurodevelopmental impairment in preterm infants by standardized neurological assessments at 6 and 12 months corrected age
Article first published online: 5 JAN 2010
DOI: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2009.01649.x
© 2009 The Author(s)/Journal Compilation © 2009 Foundation Acta Pædiatrica
Additional Information
How to Cite
Grimmer, I., Metze, B., Walch, E., Scholz, T. and Bührer, C. (2010), Predicting neurodevelopmental impairment in preterm infants by standardized neurological assessments at 6 and 12 months corrected age. Acta Pædiatrica, 99: 526–530. doi: 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2009.01649.x
Publication History
- Issue published online: 26 FEB 2010
- Article first published online: 5 JAN 2010
- Received 5 August 2009; revised 21 November 2009; accepted 25 November 2009.
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- Cerebral palsy;
- Follow-up;
- Very low birth weight infant
Abstract
Aim: Neurodevelopmental impairment in very preterm infants can be reasonably diagnosed by 18–24 months corrected age, whereas the predictive value of earlier assessments is debated. We hypothesized that neurological findings at 6 and 12 months indicative of subsequent cerebral palsy predict 18–24 months’ neurodevelopmental impairment.
Methods: Neurodevelopmental examinations (Griffiths scales) at 20 months of age in 561 preterm infants (birth weight <1 500 g) were compared with results of standardized neurological examinations (Early Motor Pattern Profile; EMPP) and Griffiths scales at 6 (n = 451) and 12 months (n = 496) corrected age.
Results: Griffiths developmental quotients at 20 months were weakly but significantly related to EMPP scores at 6 (Rs = 0.328) and 12 months (Rs = 0.493). Areas under receiver operator characteristic curves for the EMPP to predict neurodevelopmental impairment (Griffiths scores ≤75) at 20 months were 0.772 (0.890) at 6 (12) months, compared to 0.915 (0.962) for Griffiths scores. By contrast, EMPP and Griffiths scores had equal power to predict unability to walk unaided at 2 years of age (EMPP 6/12 months: 0.946/0.983; Griffiths 6/12 months: 0.935/0.985).
Conclusion: Neurological examinations with the EMPP at 6 and 12 months corrected age are of limited value to predict neurodevelopmental impairment at 20 months.