Maternal estimates of developmental age in preschool children.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the accuracy of maternal estimates of developmental age in preschool children with suspected developmental delay.


METHODS
In a sample of 139 preschool children, aged 5 to 60 months, mothers were asked before evaluation to estimate the developmental age of their child. Maternal estimates were converted to a developmental quotient (DQ) and compared with results from standardized tests of cognitive functioning, adaptive abilities, expressive and receptive language, and visual-motor skills.


RESULTS
A high correlation was found (r = 0.82; p < 0.0001) between maternal-estimate DQ and actual DQ (mean of test scores). Most mothers estimated within 15% of their child's actual functioning, and 84% of mothers estimated within +/- 5 months of actual functioning. Multiple regression found no factors that would identify mothers who were more or less accurate in estimating developmental age. Maternal-estimate DQ was sensitive (83%) and specific (83%) for mental retardation.


CONCLUSIONS
Maternal estimates provide an accurate measure of developmental functioning and could be successfully incorporated into routine developmental surveillance of preschool children.
Pulsifer
M B
MB
Department of Developmental Pediatrics, Kennedy Krieger Institute, Baltimore, Maryland 21205.
Hoon
A H
AH
Palmer
F B
FB
Gopalan
R
R
Capute
A J
AJ
D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009035:Mothers; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods