title: Cognitive assessment of very low birth weight infants using the Dutch version of the PARCA-R parent questionnaire.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Very low birth weight (VLBW) infants are at an increased risk of long-term cognitive impairment. Early identification and timely interventions are important. We aimed to validate the Dutch version of the revised Parent Report of Children's Abilities (PARCA-R) questionnaire.
  
  
  METHODS
  The subjects were survivors from the Belgian participating centers to the NIRTURE trial. As part of a study-related follow-up, PARCA-R was sent out at the age of 2 years. As part of a normal hospital follow-up, these infants were assessed by the Bayley Scales of Infant Development - second edition (BSID-II) at the age of 9, 18 and 36 months. MRI was performed at term in the group of VLBW infants of ZOL Genk as standard care.
  
  
  RESULTS
  PARCA-R was sent out to 193 surviving infants. BSID-II was performed in 36% (n=70) at 9 months, in 30% (n=58) at 18 months and in 12% (n=23) at 36 months. MRI was available for 32 infants. We received 86 responses to the PARCA-R. Parent report composite (PRC) scores were significantly correlated with the Mental Development Index (MDI) (p<0.0001 (9 months); p=0.003 (18 months); p=0.01 (36 months)). PRC scores were significantly lower in those with an abnormal MRI (92 vs.124; p=0.04).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We support the use of the PARCA-R as a time and cost efficient alternative for identifying cognitive delay.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We suggest that the combination of BSID-II, MRI at term and PARCA-R would be the ideal testing method for identifying VLBW infants at risk for cognitive developmental delay by two years of age.
authors.affiliation: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, University Hospitals, Leuven, Belgium. Electronic address: sophie.vanhaesebrouck@uzleuven.be.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vanhaesebrouck
authors.affiliation: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Ziekenhuis Oost-Limburg ZOL, Genk, Belgium.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Theyskens
authors.affiliation: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, University Hospitals, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vanhole
authors.affiliation: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, University Hospitals, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Allegaert
authors.affiliation: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, University Hospitals, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Naulaers
authors.affiliation: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, University Hospitals, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: de Zegher
authors.affiliation: Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, University Hospitals, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Daniëls
mesh_terms: D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight / Q000523:psychology*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D012372:ROC Curve; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Cognitive assessment; Parent questionnaire; Preterm infants