PubMed · 6794725
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H B Valman. 1981-09-26. Development at 18 months.. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.283.6295.850
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Measurement of development is often less precise than that of height and weight. Developmental scores are typically based on passing one or more developmental markers, but do not have interval scale so calculating differences between scores can be nonsensical. Age-specific standardized scores are sometimes used, but fail to have a common metric that allows comparison of developmental scores across age. The goal of this study is to develop a quantitative developmental score (D-score) with improved measurement characteristics. The basic assumption of the D-score is the existence of a common continuous scale for the development. Scores of 2151 children between 0 and 2 years on a Dutch developmental instrument were analysed. Application of the Rasch Model resulted in excellent reliability and satisfactory fit. This indicates that the new quantitative D-score succeeds in representing outcomes of the instrument on a common interval scale. Age-conditional reference values for the D-score were derived by means of the LMS method. The definition of the D-scores is not specific to age, so the D-score of a measured person can be compared to the D-score of another person of a different age. Difference scores between sessions can be used to evaluate developmental velocity on the individual level. To our knowledge this is the first developmental scale for children with such properties.
BACKGROUND: Currently available tools to assist clinicians with prediction of neurodevelopmental outcome of preterm infants are inadequate. Modified cotside electroencephalography (EEG) has the ability to produce quantitative electrophysiologic measures. These measures may be useful in future prediction of outcome. AIM: To determine patterns of change in quantitative EEG measures in preterm infants during their first week after birth. DESIGN: Observational. SUBJECTS: Preterm infants born at less than 32 weeks completed gestation surviving to discharge with unremarkable serial ultrasound scans. OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes in continuity, amplitude and spectral edge frequency measures of EEGs obtained over the first week after birth. RESULTS: Results of EEGs performed using a novel EEG device on 63 infants are reported here. Their median (range) gestation was 29 (24-31) weeks and birthweight was 1,235 (540-1,980) g. Quantitative measures of EEG continuity increased over the first week after birth from 72 (25-99)% to 92 (54-100)% at the 25 microV threshold, and from 39 (10-87)% to 64 (34-75)% at the 50 microV threshold, both p<0.0001. There was a related 32% increase in median amplitude from 5.8 (2.6-10.6) microV on day 1 to 7.6 (4.3-9.4) microV on day 4, p=0.005. There was a trend for average spectral edge frequency to fall from 10.7 (9.3-12.9) Hz on day 1 to 9.9 (8.1-12.3) Hz on day 3, p=0.06. Each gestational tertile showed similar patterns. CONCLUSIONS: There are consistent changes in quantitative neurophysiologic measures over the first week after birth, and particularly measures of continuity over the first 4 days, in normal preterm infants.
BACKGROUND: The currently-available standardized music tests are not suitable for administration to young children and children with special needs because they are complicated and require verbal instructions and verbal responses. A test that was named the Non-Verbal Measurement of the Musical Responsiveness of Children, was developed to assess the musical responsiveness of young children. This test does not depend on verbal instructions, and is composed of two parts, Rhythm and Melody. MATERIAL/METHODS: Ninety-two children [age, range, 6-69 months; 36.39+/-17.61 (mean +/-standard deviation) months] who attended mainstream pre-schools were studied. Each child was tested to see whether the child correctly imitated 7 different patterns of rhythm and 6 different patterns of melody that were delivered by clapping of hands or the voice of the examiner, respectively. The examiner rated whether the child could imitate each pattern and the total score was the sum of successfully reproduced patterns. Two independent observers viewed videotapes of the testing sessions and assigned scores in a similar manner. The inter-rater reliability among the three raters was assessed. RESULTS: The total score in Melody (R=0.63, p<0.001) and the total score in Rhythm (R=0.81, p<0.001) were each correlated with developmental age. The inter-rater reliability was good (Melody: Kendall's W=0.78, Rhythm: Kendall's W=0.95). CONCLUSIONS: The degree of musical responsiveness of normal young children is correlated with general development. This measurement tool is valid and reliable for use in young children who lack sufficient verbal understanding to take standardized music tests. This test may also be administered to children with special needs.