title: Investigation of test characteristics of two screening tools in comparison with a gold standard assessment to detect developmental delay at 36 months: A pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The ability of the Rourke Baby Record (Rourke) and the Nipissing District Developmental Screen (NDDS) to detect developmental delay is not known.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the test characteristics of the Rourke and NDDS compared with the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development III for detecting developmental delay in high-risk children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Three-year-olds were recruited from the IWK Health Centre (Halifax, Nova Scotia). Two cut-points were evaluated (one and two or more areas of concern) from the Rourke and NDDS, and were compared with a score of ≤85 on the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development III.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The majority (67.7%) of the 31 participants reported no concern. At one area of concern, sensitivity was 75% for both the Rourke and NDDS. When two areas of concern were noted, specificity was 93% for the Rourke and 96% for NDDS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both the Rourke and the NDDS appear to be reasonably sensitive and specific, but further investigation is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Health and Epidemiology;
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Currie
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dodds
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shea
authors.forename: Gordon
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Flowerdew
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McLean
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vincer
keywords: Developmental delay; Developmental screening; Developmental surveillance