[Formula: see text]Selecting measures for the neurodevelopmental assessment of children in low- and middle-income...

Area of Science:

• Pediatric neurodevelopment
• Global child health
• Developmental psychology

Background:

• Diseases like malnutrition, malaria, and HIV negatively impact child neurodevelopment in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
• Assessing neurodevelopmental status is crucial for identifying and addressing adverse outcomes in children within these settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review neurodevelopmental screening and testing measures commonly used in LMICs.
• To present a matrix aiding researchers and clinicians in selecting appropriate measures for diverse LMIC contexts.
• To provide an overview of existing tests, including their benefits and drawbacks.

Main Methods:

• An extensive literature review of 114 publications from January 1998 to February 2016 was conducted.
• The review focused on instruments reporting psychometric properties for children in LMICs.
• Measures were categorized into screening tests and more comprehensive developmental batteries or domain-specific tests.

Main Results:

• A matrix was developed to guide the selection of neurodevelopmental assessment tools for LMIC research and clinical practice.
• The review identified commonly utilized screening and detailed neurodevelopmental tests.
• Benefits and limitations of various assessment instruments were documented.

Conclusions:

• Significant advancements in neurodevelopmental testing for children in LMICs have occurred over the last two decades.
• Further research is essential for developing new tests, refining existing ones, and ensuring cross-cultural validity and reliability.