NEUROLOGICAL EXAMINATION OF THE PRETERM AND FULL-TERM INFANT AT RISK FOR DEVELOPMENTAL-DISABILITIES USING THE DUBOWITZ NEUROLOGICAL ASSESSMENT

The Dubowitz Neurological Assessment of the Preterm and Full-term Infant was used to evaluate infants at risk for developmental disabilities. Criteria for categorising the results of the Dubowitz Neurological Assessment were developed by documenting the findings on a group of relatively low risk infants managed in a NICU. The criteria, expressed as a number of deviant responses on items in the assessment, were used to test the concurrent and predictive validity. The Dubowitz Neurological Assessment was found to correlate with a perinatal risk rating and the findings on brain ultrasonography, indicating concurrent validity. Predictive validity was demonstrated by correlation with neurodevelopmental outcome and neurological status at 1 year corrected age, The sensitivity and specificity of the assessment were also used to develop a management protocol for graduates of the NICU.