Predictive value of neurodevelopmental assessment versus evaluation of general movements for motor outcome in preterm infants with birth weights <1500 g.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to make a comparison of predictive values of neurodevelopmental assessment and evaluation of videotaped spontaneous movements of premature infants for motor outcome.

Methods: We performed a prospective longitudinal study of 103 VLBW infants, 96 (455-1490 g, 24-35 weeks gestational age) including (a) a neurodevelopmental assessment based on criteria by Amiel-Tison/Grenier at 40 weeks postconceptional age, 3 and 20 months corrected age; (b) an evaluation of general movements with fidgety character, based on criteria by Prechtl, at 3 months; and (c) a standardized testing using the Griffiths Developmental Motor Scale at 20 months. We calculated sensitivity, specificity and predictive values for each method.