[Rapid detection of neurologic morbidity in full term newborn infants]

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of the simplified method to detect neurological morbidity in newborn and to estimate the predictive parameter, i.e. sensitivity, specificity and predictive value. The sample consisted of 100 newborn infants from the Maternity Clinic of Hospital Regional Docente Trujillo-Perú, during the period from March to May 1990. All infants were born full-term, of normal delivery and Apgar score of greater than or equal to 7 at one minute, and no congenital malformation were present. Each one of the newborn was evaluated with a complete neurologic examination and the simplified method. Previously, the effects of population variables had been evaluated: the mean birth weight was 3277 g. (S.D. 435). Seventy one percent of the infants were between 38.5 and 39.5 weeks of gestational age. Eighty five percent of cases, showed on Apgar score from 8 to 10. The results allowed to determine that the sensitivity of the rapid neurological assessment was 0.70 specificity 0.75 and predictive value 0.75 (P less than 0.01). These findings suggest the usefulness and convenience of the method to detect neurological morbidity in full-term newborn infants.