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Updated: Jan 18, 2026

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
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Published on: August 25, 2014

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Developmental outcomes of small infants at a high-risk clinic: A short-term longitudinal study

Tayla-Ann Macaskill1, Maria Du Toit, Renata Eccles

  • 1Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, Faculty of Humanities, University of Pretoria, Pretoria. u17024392@tuks.co.za.

The South African Journal of Communication Disorders = Die Suid-Afrikaanse Tydskrif Vir Kommunikasieafwykings
|September 9, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Early monitoring and intervention are crucial for small infants. This study shows that consistent follow-up care from birth to 12 months improves developmental outcomes and caregiver understanding.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Small infants are at higher risk for developmental challenges compared to full-term infants.
  • Early intervention and ongoing monitoring are essential for this vulnerable population.
  • This study focuses on a low-income community in South Africa.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the longitudinal developmental and hearing outcomes of small infants.
  • To assess the effectiveness of a high-risk clinic in a resource-limited setting.
  • To identify key developmental areas requiring intervention.

Main Methods:

  • A longitudinal study design was used with 28 small infants.
  • Participants received hearing and developmental screenings at 6 and 12 months corrected age.
  • Tools included Parents Evaluation of Developmental Status (PEDS), ABR MB11 hearing screening, and Vineland-3 assessments.

Main Results:

  • 14.3% of infants failed hearing screenings twice and were referred for further evaluation.
  • Initial developmental screening (PEDS) identified concerns in communication, gross motor, and social-emotional skills.
  • While fine motor skills emerged as a concern at 12 months, Vineland-3 assessments showed improvement, with all infants achieving age-appropriate scores by 12 months.

Conclusions:

  • Comprehensive, routine developmental monitoring is vital for early identification of delays in small infants.
  • Continuous follow-up care and caregiver education from birth to 12 months can significantly enhance developmental trajectories.
  • Findings emphasize the importance of early screening, consistent monitoring, and caregiver support for optimizing infant development.
Abstract

Keywords:
developmental outcomesdevelopmental screening and assessmentdevelopmental surveillancehearing screeningsmall infants

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