Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 12, 2026
Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
[Assessment of risk to neuro-psychomotor development: screening using the Test Denver II and identification of
Hilton Luiz da Cunha1, Aurea Nogueira de Melo
1PPGCSA-UFRN.
Insights
The Denver II Test effectively screens for developmental delays in infants. Key risk factors include lower socioeconomic status, premature birth, and maternal factors like age and education.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurodevelopment
- Developmental Screening Tools
Background:
- Early identification of developmental delay is crucial for timely intervention.
- The Denver Developmental Screening Test II (Denver II) is a widely used tool for assessing child development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the Denver II Test's efficacy in identifying developmental delay in children aged 0-12 months.
- To identify maternal and environmental risk factors associated with neurodevelopmental delay.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 398 children aged 0-12 months underwent neurodevelopmental assessment using the Denver II Test.
- Children failing two or more Denver II items were flagged for potential delay.
- Logistic regression analysis identified risk factors including socioeconomic status, gestational age, and maternal characteristics.
Main Results:
- Over 45% of infants screened positive for potential developmental delay using the Denver II Test.
- Significant risk factors for delay included lower family income, gestational age < 38 weeks, lower socioeconomic status, lower maternal education, younger maternal age, and maternal drug use.
- The Denver II Test demonstrated utility in screening for developmental delays.
Conclusions:
- The Denver II Test is a valuable tool for screening developmental delays in infants.
- Maternal risk factors play a significant role in a child's neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Purpose:
To identify a positive screening test for developmental delay in children by the Denver Test II and their risk factors.
Methods:
A sample of 398 children was studied at 0 the 12 months of age regarding their neurodevelopment. The Denver II Test was used. The children who failed in two or more items of the test were suspected of having neurodevelopment delay. A set of independent variables was: socioeconomic, reproductive and environmental, birth conditions children's care. Analyses were performed using chi-square test and multivariate techinique logistic regression.
Results:
At of 0 - 12 months of age, 45,73% (182) of the total of 398 children failed in the screening test. After adjusting for possible confounding variables, failure was associated with family lower income children, gestacional age less than 38 weeks, socioeconomic status family, schooling of the mother, mother's age, use of drug.
Conclusions:
This study demonstrates: 1--The Denver Test permited screening the delays development; 2--Maternal risk factors may interfere in the child's neurodevelopmental.
