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Pediatric Quality Measures in Developmental Screening and Follow-Up
Genie Han1, Jennifer O Lambert2, Christina D Bethell2
1Evidence-based Practice Center, Department of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland.
Pediatrics
|May 20, 2026
Summary
Quality measures for pediatric developmental screening and follow-up show good reliability, validity, and usability. However, feasibility remains a concern, requiring further research into standardization and stratification to improve early identification of developmental problems.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Healthcare Quality Improvement
Background:
- Timely identification and management of developmental problems are crucial for child development.
- Existing quality measures for developmental screening and follow-up require comprehensive evaluation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and summarize existing quality measures for developmental screening and follow-up in children within the United States.
- To identify evidence regarding the reliability, validity, usability, and feasibility of these measures.
Main Methods:
- Conducted a systematic search of multiple databases (PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, PsychINFO) from 2009 to December 2024.
- Included systematic reviews, primary studies, and expert-recommended gray literature.
- Extracted data on measure definitions, study characteristics, implementation barriers, and research gaps by two independent reviewers.
Main Results:
- Identified 67 screening and 61 follow-up measures, primarily for early childhood in clinical settings.
- Found substantial evidence for reliability, validity, and usability across many measures, but mixed evidence for feasibility.
- Observed limited reporting on measure use variations and minimal evidence on reducing health disparities; common barriers included EHR integration and resource limitations.
Conclusions:
- While many pediatric developmental screening and follow-up measures demonstrate strong psychometric properties, their practical feasibility requires attention.
- Future research should prioritize enhancing feasibility, standardizing measures, and stratifying data to address diverse populations.
- Focusing on these areas can improve the effectiveness of early developmental problem identification and management.
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