Socio-familial environment influence on cognitive and language development in very preterm children.

Background: Preterm children are at increased risk of cognitive and language delay compared with term-born children. While many perinatal factors associated with prematurity are well established, there is limited research concerning the influence of the socio-familial environment on the development of preterm children. This study aims to assess the relative impact of perinatal and socio-familial risk factors on cognitive and language development at 2 years corrected age (CA).

Validation of the Motor Functional Development Scale for Young Children to predict motor outcome in preterm infants: A 2 years follow-up study.

Objective: To examine the validity of the Motor Functional Development Scale for Young Children (DF-mot) to predict motor developmental delays in preterm infants.

Method: This retrospective cohort study includes 67 preterm infants who were assessed at 3-5 months by the DF-mot and the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS); and at 22-25 months by the Bayley Scales of Infant-Toddler Development (Bayley-III). The properties of the DF-mot and the AIMS were examined based on their ability to predict motor delays on the Bayley-III.

Comparative validity between the Canadian and the Dutch norms of the Alberta Infant Motor Scale in a preterm population.

Background: Prematurity remains a leading cause of motor developmental delays. The Alberta Infant Motor Scales (AIMS) is a useful tool to easily assess motor development. However, during the last decade, cross-cultural differences have been identified regarding the original AIMS norms.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on postpartum depression among mothers of extreme and early preterm infants.

Objective: To examine the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the resulting isolation measures on the risk of postpartum depression (PPD) after preterm birth.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of mothers of extreme and early preterm infants who completed the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) at the standardized 3-6 months follow-up consultation for preterm infants. Mothers assessed during the COVID-19 pandemic (n = 34; from April 1, 2020 to March 31, 2021) were compared with an antecedent control group (n = 108; from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019).

Concurrent and predictive validity of the Motor Functional Development Scale for Young Children in preterm infants.

Background: The Motor Functional Development Scale for Young Children (DF-mot) is a developmental tool assessing both gross and fine motor skills in term infants.

Aims: To examine the concurrent validity of the DF-mot with the Alberta Infants Motor Scale (AIMS) in preterm infants and compare their ability in predicting scores on the Bayley Scales of Infant-Toddler Development (Bayley-III) at 12 months.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.