Predictive validity of Bayley scale in language development of children at 6-36 months.
BACKGROUND
The aim of the present study was to investigate the prediction of development among 6-, 18-, and 36-month-old infants on the Bayley Scale of Infant Development (BSID).


METHODS
One hundred infants were assessed using the BSID at 6 months; of these, 70 completed the 18 and 36 month assessment at follow up.


RESULTS
Multivariate regression and structural equation modeling were used to determine predictive validity in the mental and psychomotor developmental scales. Structural equation analysis also confirmed the conceptual scheme of the stability of development from 6 to 36 months for boys. Boys had a steadier overall developmental trajectory compared to girls.


CONCLUSIONS
The validity of BSID was consistent with previous studies. The language spurt in girls, however, from 6 to 18 months affected the stability of the BSID. Thus, the gender difference in language development should be considered in clinical assessment.
Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Armed Forces General Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
For-Wey
FW
Lung
Bih-Ching
BC
Shu
Tung-Liang
TL
Chiang
Po-Fei
PF
Chen
Li-Ling
LL
Lin
D000367:Age Factors; D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007804:Language Development; D007807:Language Tests; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012737:Sex Factors