The Importance of Monitoring Neurodevelopmental Outcomes for Preterm Infants: A Comparison of the AIMS, GMA, Pull to Sit Maneuver and ASQ-3.

BACKGROUND: Clinicians and parents should closely monitor the neurodevelopment of very preterm infants. The aim of our study was to compare whether neurodevelopmental assessments completed by parents and those done by specialists yielded similar outcomes. We wanted to check whether the assessments completed by specialists and parents were comparable in outcomes to emphasize the important roles of early assessment of a child and of the parents in their child's treatment and medical care. Another aim was to check whether or not the pull to sit maneuver from the Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS) is still a parable item in well-known scales of neurodevelopment.

METHODS: We assessed 18 preterm neonates in the fourth month of corrected age with scales such as the General Movement Assessment (GMA), the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS), and the pull to sit maneuver from the NBAS. Finally, we asked parents to complete the Ages and Stages Questionnaire, Third Edition (ASQ-3).

RESULTS: We found that the respective assessments completed by specialists and parents are comparable in outcomes. We also found that the pull to sit item from the NBAS was still a valid test since it showed similar findings to those from the AIMS, the GMA, and the ASQ-3.

CONCLUSIONS: The pull to sit item from the NBAS is an important item for assessment of very preterm infants. Specialists should also take into consideration the input and concerns of parents when planning for treatment and intervention.