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Qualitative motor assessment allows to predict the degree of motor disturbances
E Gajewska1, M Sobieska, J Moczko
1Department of Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, University of Medical Sciences of Poznan, Poland. ewagajewska1011@gmail.com.
Insights
A new motor development assessment tool for 6-month-old infants shows high accuracy in identifying developmental delays and cerebral palsy early. This tool aids in early intervention for neurological integrity and proper development.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neurology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Early diagnosis of neurological integrity and developmental risks is crucial for timely intervention.
- Quantitative and qualitative assessments of motor development track age-expected milestones and proper execution of movements.
- Assessing infants at 6 months using a specialized sheet can reveal developmental issues early.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce a motor performance assessment sheet for infants at 6 months of age.
- To evaluate the qualitative motor performance elements typically seen at 3 and 6 months.
- To demonstrate the tool's effectiveness in identifying developmental delays.
Main Methods:
- 173 infants (76 female, 97 male) were assessed at 6 and 9 months by a neurologist and physiotherapist.
- Neurologists provided final diagnoses at 16 months.
- Physiotherapists assessed qualitative motor elements of the 3rd and 6th months, considering risk factors.
Main Results:
- High conformity was observed between neurologist and physiotherapist assessments.
- Infants with developmental delays or cerebral palsy at 6 months had not achieved 3-month qualitative milestones or 6-month proper performance.
- Low Apgar scores and intraventricular hemorrhage negatively impacted 6-month motor development.
Conclusions:
- The developed motor development assessment sheet for 6-month-olds is a sensitive tool.
- The assessment sheet demonstrates good predictive value for identifying developmental issues.
- Early identification through this tool supports prompt intervention for infants at risk.
Objective:
Early diagnosis is necessary in order to determine neurological integrity and the potential risk of improper development, and also to undertake possible early intervention. The quantitative assessment consists of observation of motor development, and provides information about whether a child performs an activity (movement) expected at a given life period. The qualitative assessment of motor performance verifies whether a specific activity is performed properly. The papers aims to demonstrate the motor performance assessment sheet for infants at the age of 6 months and assessment of qualitative elements of 3rd month at the age of 6 months.
Subjects And Methods:
173 infants (76f/97m) were assessed by a neurologist and a physiotherapist at the age of 6 and 9 months. The neurologist set the final diagnosis at the age of 16 months. Additionally, the physiotherapist assessed qualitative elements typical of the 6th month and of the 3rd month. Risk factors possibly affecting motor performance were considered.
Results:
The assessment performed by the neurologist and the physiotherapist demonstrated high conformity. Infants with varying degrees of developmental delay and with cerebral palsy at the age of 6 months have still not achieved all of the qualitative characteristics typical of the 3rd month of life, nor proper performance for the 6th month. The low Apgar score and the presence of intraventricular haemorrhage affected the motor development at the age of 6 months.
Conclusions:
The author's motor development assessment sheet applied at the age of 6 months proves to be a sensitive research tool and demonstrates good predictive value.
