title: GMFM in infancy: age-specific limitations and adaptations.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate longitudinal applicability of the gross motor function measure (GMFM) in infants younger than 2 years.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve infants at very high risk for cerebral palsy were enrolled between 1 and 9 months corrected age. The children were assessed 4 times during 1 year with the GMFM-66, GMFM-88, and other neuromotor tests.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Longitudinal use of the GMFM in infancy was hampered by age and function-specific limitations. The GMFM-66 differentiated less at lower-ability levels than at higher-ability levels. The GMFM-88 demonstrated flattening of the developmental curve when infants had developed more motor abilities. We formulated adaptations for the longitudinal use of GMFM in infancy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To facilitate use of the GMFM in infancy, an adapted version may be an option. Further research is required to assess reliability and validity, and in particular, the sensitivity to change of the suggested adaptations.
authors.affiliation: Departments of Paediatrics-Developmental Neurology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Tjitske
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hielkema
authors.forename: Elisa G
authors.initials: EG
authors.lastname: Hamer
authors.forename: Ilse
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ebbers-Dekkers
authors.forename: Tineke
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Dirks
authors.forename: Carel G B
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Maathuis
authors.forename: Heleen A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Reinders-Messelink
authors.forename: Jan H B
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Geertzen
authors.forename: Mijna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hadders-Algra
mesh_terms: D002547:Cerebral Palsy / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology*; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology*; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011594:Psychometrics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012307:Risk Factors