Prediction of Motor and Functional Outcomes in Infants Born Preterm Assessed at Term

Purpose: To compare 3 different assessment approaches at term to infants born preterm to predict motor and functional outcomes at 12 months adjusted age. Methods: Infants (n = 100) born at less than 32 weeks postconceptional age were assessed at term using the General Movements Assessment, Einstein Neonatal Neurobehavioral Assessment Scales, Test of Infant Motor Performance, and at 12 months adjusted age using the Alberta Infant Motor Scales, Peabody Developmental Motor Scales-2, Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales-Daily Living Skills, and Battelle Developmental Inventory. Results: The General Movements Assessment (r(2) = 0.04; p = 0.05) and the Test of Infant Motor Performance (r(2) = 0.05; p = 0.04) predicted outcomes on the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales-2. The Test of Infant Motor Performance predicted outcomes on the Alberta Infant Motor Scales (r(2) = 0.05; p = 0.04) and Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales-Daily Living Skills (odds ratio: 0.93). Delays in functional performance were found. Conclusions: Neonatal tests at term explained a small but significant proportion of the variance in gross motor and daily living skills at 12 months adjusted age. (Pediatr Phys Ther 2009;21:2-11)