Early Diagnoses of Concern Appear Valid in Predicting Adverse Neurodevelopmental Outcomes in Mid-Childhood

To examine the relationship between 'diagnoses of neurodevelopmental concern' before the age of 2 years and definite adverse outcomes before age 10.

Data from national registries were linked. Children born in Denmark from 1994 to 2017 were included. Eight diagnoses of neurodevelopmental concern recorded before age 2 were compared to four definite outcomes recorded before age 10. The association was also analysed in three subpopulations at risk of perinatal brain damage.

A total of 1.5 million children were included. At least one diagnosis of neurodevelopmental concern was recorded in 34 392 (2.3%) of children before the age of 2 years, but numbers increased over the years. Definite outcomes were recorded in 35 300 (2.3%) children before age 10. Of these 7 757 (22.6%) had previously had an early diagnosis of neurodevelopmental concern OR (95% CI) = 12.0 (11.5; 12.5). In the three subpopulations, diagnoses of concern as well as the risk of a definite outcome were increased 3-to-4 fold.

Early diagnosis of concern appeared valid indicators of adverse neurodevelopmental outcome. The use of diagnoses of concern increased gradually over the years and cannot serve as a simple monitor at the population level.