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Comparative validity between the Canadian and the Dutch norms of the Alberta Infant Motor Scale in a preterm
Clara Gautier1, Marie Alexandre2, Sophie Zaczek2
1Department of Neonatal Intensive Care, CHR Sambre et Meuse, Namur, Belgium.
Insights
This study validated the Alberta Infant Motor Scales (AIMS) for preterm infants, finding Dutch norms less sensitive but more specific than Canadian ones for motor delay detection. Adapted cut-offs are needed for accurate diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Motor Development Assessment
- Infant Health
Background:
- Prematurity is a primary cause of motor developmental delays in infants.
- The Alberta Infant Motor Scales (AIMS) is a key tool for assessing infant motor development.
- Cross-cultural variations in original AIMS norms necessitate re-evaluation for diverse populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To confirm the validity of the AIMS in assessing motor development among preterm infants.
- To compare the diagnostic accuracy of new Dutch AIMS norms against original Canadian norms in a Belgian preterm cohort.
Main Methods:
- Ninety-six preterm infants were assessed using AIMS and Bayley Scales of Infant-Toddler Development (Bayley-III).
- Concurrent validity was established through correlation analysis (Pearson's coefficient).
- Clinimetric properties of both Canadian and Dutch AIMS norms were calculated to assess motor delay detection at different infant ages.
Main Results:
- An excellent correlation (r=0.91) was found between AIMS and Bayley-III, confirming AIMS validity.
- At 3-6 months, only the 10th Canadian centile predicted significant motor delay.
- At 9-14 months, the 5th centile of both norms identified significant delays, but Canadian norms were more sensitive for mild delays.
Conclusions:
- The Alberta Infant Motor Scales (AIMS) is a valid tool for assessing preterm infants' motor development.
- New Dutch AIMS norms demonstrate higher specificity but lower sensitivity compared to Canadian norms.
- Adapted cut-offs for the Dutch AIMS norms are recommended for accurate diagnosis of motor developmental delays in preterm populations.
Background:
Prematurity remains a leading cause of motor developmental delays. The Alberta Infant Motor Scales (AIMS) is a useful tool to easily assess motor development. However, during the last decade, cross-cultural differences have been identified regarding the original AIMS norms. Therefore, the aim of this study is twofold: confirm the validity of the AIMS in a preterm population and compare the new Dutch AIMS norms to the original Canadian ones in our Belgian population.
Method:
Ninety-six preterm infants were assessed simultaneously on the AIMS and on the Bayley Scales of Infant-Toddler Development (Bayley-III) at age 9-14 months. Concurrent validity was evaluated by correlation analysis. Among these, 89 were assessed on the AIMS at age 3-6 months. Clinimetric properties of both AIMS norms were calculated to compare their ability to detect a motor delay on the Bayley-III at age 9-14 months.
Result:
Pearson's coefficient showed an excellent level of correlation between the two scales (r = 0.91). At age 3-6 months, only the 10th Canadian centile showed acceptable properties to predict a significant motor delay. At age 9-14 months, the 5th centile of both norms showed good properties to diagnose a significant motor delay, while only the Canadian norms seems to be sensitive enough to diagnose a mild motor delay.
Conclusion:
The new Dutch norms seem to be less sensitive but more specific than the Canadian ones and therefore require adapted cut-offs to diagnose motor developmental delays in a preterm population.
