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Concurrent and predictive validity of the Motor Functional Development Scale for Young Children in preterm infants

Ludovic Legros1, Sophie Zaczek2, Laurence Vaivre-Douret3

  • 1Departement of Neonatal Intensive Care, CHR Sambre et Meuse, 5000 Namur, Belgium.

Early Human Development
|November 7, 2020
PubMed

Insights

The Motor Functional Development Scale for Young Children (DF-mot) accurately assesses motor skills in preterm infants. It demonstrates good concurrent and predictive validity, making it a useful clinical tool for monitoring development.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric developmental assessment
  • Neonatal motor development evaluation
  • Infant motor skill assessment

Background:

  • The Motor Functional Development Scale for Young Children (DF-mot) assesses gross and fine motor skills in infants.
  • Preterm infants require specialized tools to monitor their motor development accurately.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To validate the DF-mot against the Alberta Infants Motor Scale (AIMS) in preterm infants.
  • To compare the predictive ability of DF-mot and AIMS for motor delays using the Bayley Scales of Infant-Toddler Development (Bayley-III).

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective cohort study involving 111 preterm infants (gestation < 32 weeks or birthweight < 1500g).
  • Concurrent assessment using DF-mot and AIMS at 3-5 months.
  • Predictive assessment using Bayley-III at 9-12 months for a subset of 62 infants.

Main Results:

  • A strong correlation (r=0.79) was found between DF-mot and AIMS, indicating good concurrent validity.
  • Both scales showed good sensitivity and negative predictive value for identifying motor delays at 12 months.
  • DF-mot demonstrated 84% sensitivity and 77.8% NPV for predicting motor delay.

Conclusions:

  • The DF-mot is a valid and reliable tool for assessing motor development in preterm infants.
  • Its good predictive validity supports its use as a clinical tool for early identification of motor delays.
  • DF-mot offers a valuable option for monitoring motor functional development in high-risk infant populations.
Abstract

Keywords:
AIMSDF-motDevelopmental assessmentPreterm infantValidity

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