Early Predictors of One Year Neurodevelopmental Outcome fo ”At Risk” Infants

Abstract

Early predictors of one year neurodevelopmental outcome were determined for a group of 27 “at risk” infants. Based on t-tests and a stepwise discriminant analysis for a variety of early physical and neuromotor measures, weight at 3 months adjusted age was the earliest and best predictor of 12 month neurological status. Developmental status at 12 months, as assessed by the Griffiths Developmental Mental Scales and the Bayley Motor Scale, was significantly correlated with certain risk scores from the Movement Assessment of Infants administered at 4 months adjusted age. Therapists are encouraged to incorporate measures of physical growth in their assessments of “at risk” infants. Further studies need to be conducted to determine the long-term predictive value of postnatal growth and the motor status at 4 months as evaluated by the Movement Assessment of Infants.