Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 25, 2026
Quantified Assessment of Infant's Gross Motor Abilities Using a Multisensor Wearable
Published on: May 17, 2024
Prediction of motor and functional outcomes in infants born preterm assessed at term
Laurie Snider1, Annette Majnemer, Barbara Mazer
1School of Physical and Occupational Therapy, McGill University, Montréal, Canada. laurie.snider@mcgill.ca
Insights
Neonatal assessments at term can predict later motor and functional skills in preterm infants. Early screening using tools like the General Movements Assessment and Test of Infant Motor Performance offers valuable insights.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal neurodevelopmental assessment
- Pediatric motor development
- Preterm infant outcomes
Background:
- Preterm infants face risks for developmental delays.
- Predictive assessments in neonates are crucial for early intervention.
- Understanding the predictive validity of neonatal assessments is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare three neonatal assessment approaches.
- To predict motor and functional outcomes at 12 months corrected age in preterm infants.
- To evaluate the efficacy of term-based assessments for long-term prediction.
Main Methods:
- 100 infants born <32 weeks postconceptional age were assessed at term.
- Utilized General Movements Assessment, Einstein Neonatal Neurobehavioral Assessment Scales, and Test of Infant Motor Performance.
- Outcomes assessed at 12 months corrected age using Alberta Infant Motor Scales, Peabody Developmental Motor Scales-2, and others.
Main Results:
- General Movements Assessment and Test of Infant Motor Performance predicted Peabody Developmental Motor Scales-2 outcomes.
- Test of Infant Motor Performance predicted Alberta Infant Motor Scales and Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales-Daily Living Skills.
- Neonatal tests explained a small but significant portion of outcome variance; functional delays were observed.
Conclusions:
- Term neonatal assessments have predictive value for gross motor and daily living skills.
- General Movements Assessment and Test of Infant Motor Performance show promise in predicting later development.
- Early identification of potential delays in preterm infants is possible through neonatal screening.
Purpose:
To compare 3 different assessment approaches at term to infants born preterm to predict motor and functional outcomes at 12 months adjusted age.
Methods:
Infants (n = 100) born at less than 32 weeks postconceptional age were assessed at term using the General Movements Assessment, Einstein Neonatal Neurobehavioral Assessment Scales, Test of Infant Motor Performance, and at 12 months adjusted age using the Alberta Infant Motor Scales, Peabody Developmental Motor Scales-2, Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales-Daily Living Skills, and Battelle Developmental Inventory.
Results:
The General Movements Assessment (r2 = 0.04; p = 0.05) and the Test of Infant Motor Performance (r2 = 0.05; p = 0.04) predicted outcomes on the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales-2. The Test of Infant Motor Performance predicted outcomes on the Alberta Infant Motor Scales (r2 = 0.05; p = 0.04) and Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales-Daily Living Skills (odds ratio: 0.93). Delays in functional performance were found.
Conclusions:
Neonatal tests at term explained a small but significant proportion of the variance in gross motor and daily living skills at 12 months adjusted age.
