Developmental outcome of very preterm babies using an assessment tool deliverable by health visitors.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the developmental outcome of very preterm infants using a developmental screening tool deliverable by health visitors.


METHODS
The study cohort consisted of preterm infants born at <32 weeks gestation or <1500g. Infants were assessed at 12 and 24 months corrected age using the Schedule of Growing Skills developmental screening test. Scores for skill areas were converted to developmental levels in months and graded as normal or mild, moderate or severe delay.


RESULTS
Of 101 infants assessed at 12 months, 12 (12%) had severe developmental delay (developmental level <6months) in one or more skill areas. At 24 months, severe developmental delay (developmental level <12 months) was found in 8 (9.1%) infants. Only 3 infants had severe global delay. However, approximately a third of infants showed mild or moderate delay in hearing and language, social or cognitive skill areas by 24 months.


CONCLUSIONS
Developmental assessment undertaken by health visitors may be used to measure outcome in preterm infants. Severe developmental delay was at a level consistent with other follow-up studies of very preterm infants. Severe delay was identified by the 12-month check and was mainly in areas of motor function and language. High levels of mild to moderate developmental delay were identified at the 24-month assessment.
Amess
P
P
Department of Neonatology, Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals Trust, Brighton BN2 5BE, UK. philip.amess@bsuh.nhs.uk
Young
T
T
Burley
H
H
Khan
Y
Y
D017677:Age Distribution; D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003152:Community Health Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006306:Health Surveys; D006699:Home Care Services; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D018730:Infant Behavior; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000254:growth & development*; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D007805:Language Development Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D008403:Mass Screening; D019957:Motor Skills Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010808:Physical Examination / Q000379:methods*; D015995:Prevalence; D012919:Social Behavior