Assessing Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) Graduates Across Varied Settings: A Study on the Feasibility of the Baby Moves App.

We assessed the feasibility of obtaining parent-collected General Movement Assessment videos using the Baby Moves app. Among 261 participants from 4 Chicago NICUs, 70% submitted videos. Families living in higher areas of childhood opportunity used the app more than those from areas of lower opportunity.

Understanding the multidimensional neurodevelopmental outcomes in children after congenital Zika virus exposure.

Since 2016, international research groups have focused on assessing outcomes of children with in utero Zika virus (ZIKV) exposure. While the more severe outcomes of congenital Zika syndrome (CZS) occur in up to 10% of children with antenatal exposure, early findings among ZIKV-exposed children without CZS ages 0-5 years suggest that they may also have differences in multiple domains of neurodevelopment. Thus, longitudinal follow-up of all children with antenatal ZIKV exposure has been recommended. This review presents a summary of neurodevelopmental phenotypes of infants and children following antenatal ZIKV exposure. We present a multidimensional framework to understand child neurodevelopment from an interdisciplinary and whole-child perspective (International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health model) and multi-domain ZIKV Outcome Toolboxes. The toolboxes are for clinicians, researchers, child educators, and others to implement longitudinal multi-domain neurodevelopmental assessments between ages 0-12 years. Recent innovations in telehealth and neuroimaging can help evaluate outcomes in ZIKV exposed children. The objective is to describe the multiple facets of neurodevelopmental focused care that can support the health, function, and well-being of children with antenatal ZIKV exposure. The research and clinical follow-up strategies are applicable to ZIKV and other congenital infectious or environmental exposures that can impact child neurodevelopment. IMPACT: International longitudinal cohort studies have revealed a range of differences in neurodevelopment among children with antenatal Zika virus (ZIKV) exposure. A multidimensional and whole-child framework is necessary to understand the neurodevelopment of children with antenatal ZIKV exposure in relation to family life, community participation, and environment. Multi-domain toolboxes that utilize parent questionnaires and child evaluations are presented. These toolboxes can be used internationally alongside telehealth, brain imaging, and other innovations to improve understanding of child outcomes.

Baby Observational Selective Control AppRaisal (BabyOSCAR): Construct validity and test performance.

AIM: To investigate the construct validity of the Baby Observational Selective Control AppRaisal (BabyOSCAR), an assessment of independent joint motion in infants with cerebral palsy (CP). METHOD: BabyOSCAR was scored for 75 infants (45 with CP and 30 without CP). Rasch analysis was used in combination with classical test theory to assess areas of strength or improvement. Overall fit and precision, unidimensionality, local independence, reliability indices, Wright's child-item map, and differential item functioning were examined as part of Rasch analysis to investigate the item properties, internal construct validity, and reliability of BabyOSCAR. Cronbach's α was used to evaluate items' internal consistency. RESULTS: Analysis demonstrated good fit to the Rasch model, with only one erratic item. Unidimensionality results suggest two dimensions, split between arm and leg items. Item calibration reliability was between 0.84 and 0.86, with three distinct item difficulty levels. Infant measure reliability was between 0.82 and 0.91, separating infants into three ability levels. Together, the two subscales covered the full range of skills, with redundancy mostly between the same motion on both sides of the body. Cronbach's α was between 0.90 and 0.95. INTERPRETATION: BabyOSCAR's construct validity was supported. Arm and leg subscales can be translated to a logit scale.

Baby Observational Selective Control AppRaisal (BabyOSCAR): Scores at 3 months predict functional ability, spastic cerebral palsy distribution, and diagnosis at 2 years.

AIM: To assess the predictive capabilities of the Baby Observational Selective Control AppRaisal (BabyOSCAR) tool, administered at 3 months corrected age, in determining spastic cerebral palsy (CP) outcome, functional abilities, and body topography at 2 years of age or later. METHOD: Independent joint motions were measured at age 10 to 16 weeks from video recordings of spontaneous movement using BabyOSCAR in a sample of 75 infants. All included infants had known 2-year outcomes (45 with spastic CP and 30 without CP) including Gross Motor Functional Classification System (GMFCS) levels and CP body distribution. Receiver operating characteristic curves and cut points indicating greatest sensitivity and specificity were generated for predictive performance. RESULTS: Total BabyOSCAR score was a strong predictor of future outcome of spastic CP (cut score of 22.5, sensitivity = 98%, specificity = 100%, area under the curve = 0.99), and was able to distinguish children classified in GMFCS levels I and II from those in III to V (cut score of 13.5, sensitivity = 92%, specificity = 89%, area under the curve = 0.94). Having an (absolute) asymmetry score on the BabyOSCAR of more than 5 was a predictor of having unilateral CP at age 2 years (sensitivity = 56%, specificity = 100%, area under the curve = 0.86). INTERPRETATION: BabyOSCAR scores are predictors of diagnosis, body distribution, and future gross motor function in infants with spastic CP at 2 years of age or later.

Baby Observational Selective Control AppRaisal (BabyOSCAR): Convergent and discriminant validity and reliability in infants with and without spastic cerebral palsy.

AIM: To describe the development of an observational measure of spontaneous independent joint motion in infants with spastic cerebral palsy (CP), the Baby Observational Selective Control AppRaisal (BabyOSCAR), and to test its convergent validity and reliability. METHOD: A retrospective sample of 75 infants (45 with spastic CP and 30 without CP) at 3 months of age were scored with the BabyOSCAR and compared with diagnosis of spastic CP, limbs affected, and Gross Motor Function Classification level at 2 years of age or later for convergent validity using t-tests, Kruskal-Wallis tests, and Spearman's rank correlation coefficients. BabyOSCAR interrater and test-retest reliability was also evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficients. RESULTS: Infants with spastic CP had significantly lower BabyOSCAR scores than children without CP (p < 0.001) and scores were significantly correlated with Gross Motor Function Classification System levels (p < 0.001). Children with unilateral CP had significantly higher asymmetry scores than children with bilateral CP or no CP (p < 0.01). Interrater and test-retest reliabilities were good to excellent. INTERPRETATION: Reductions in independent joint control measured in infancy are a hallmark of eventual diagnosis of spastic CP, and influence gross motor function later in childhood (with or without a diagnosis of CP).

Preschool neurodevelopment in Zika virus-exposed children without congenital Zika syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Children with in utero Zika virus (ZIKV) exposure without congenital Zika syndrome (CZS) are at risk for abnormal neurodevelopment. Preschool-age outcomes for children with antenatal ZIKV exposure have not yet been established. METHODS: Children with in utero ZIKV exposure and non-exposed controls had neurodevelopmental evaluations at age 3-5 years in Sabanalarga, Colombia. Cases did not have CZS and were previously evaluated prenatally through age 18 months. Controls were born before ZIKV arrival to Colombia. Neurodevelopmental assessments included Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI-CAT), Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF-P), Bracken School Readiness Assessment (BSRA), and Movement Assessment Battery for Children (MABC). Family demographics and child medical history were recorded. RESULTS: Fifty-five ZIKV-exposed children were evaluated at mean age 3.6 years and 70 controls were evaluated at 5.2 years. Family demographics were similar between groups. BRIEF-P t-scores were higher for cases than controls in shift and flexibility domains. Cases had lower PEDI-CAT mobility t-scores compared to controls. There was no difference in MABC between groups. In 11% of cases and 1% of controls, parents reported child mood problems. CONCLUSIONS: Children with in utero ZIKV exposure without CZS may demonstrate emerging differences in executive function, mood, and adaptive mobility that require continued evaluation. IMPACT: Preschool neurodevelopmental outcome in children with in utero Zika virus exposure is not yet known, since the Zika virus epidemic occurred in 2015-2017 and these children are only now entering school age. This study finds that Colombian children with in utero Zika virus exposure without congenital Zika syndrome are overall developing well but may have emerging differences in executive function, behavior and mood, and adaptive mobility compared to children without in utero Zika virus exposure. Children with in utero Zika virus exposure require continued multi-domain longitudinal neurodevelopmental evaluation through school age.

Study Protocol: Multimodal Longitudinal Assessment of Infant Brain Organization and Recovery in Perinatal Brain Injury.

PURPOSE: Perinatal brain injury is a primary cause of cerebral palsy, a condition resulting in lifelong motor impairment. Infancy is an important period of motor system development, including development of the corticospinal tract (CST), the primary pathway for cortical movement control. The interaction between perinatal stroke recovery, CST organization, and resultant motor outcome in infants is not well understood. METHODS: Here, we present a protocol for multimodal longitudinal assessment of brain development and motor function following perinatal brain injury using transcranial magnetic stimulation and magnetic resonance imaging to noninvasively measure CST functional and structural integrity across multiple time points in infants 3 to 24 months of age. We will further assess the association between cortical excitability, integrity, and motor function. DISCUSSION: This protocol will identify bioindicators of motor outcome and neuroplasticity and subsequently inform early detection, diagnosis, and intervention strategies for infants with perinatal stroke, brain bleeds, and related diagnoses.

Associations Between Early Structural Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination, and General Movements Assessment in Infants Born Very Preterm.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence and associations between structural magnetic resonance imaging (sMRI) injury/abnormality at term-equivalent age and absent fidgety General Movements Assessment (GMA) and abnormal Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination (HINE) scores among infants born very preterm at 3-4 months of corrected age. STUDY DESIGN: This prospective cohort study enrolled 392 infants born ≤2 weeks of gestation from 5 neonatal intensive care units in the greater Cincinnati area between September 2016 and October 2019. Infants completed sMRI at term-equivalent age and GMA and HINE at 3-4 months of corrected age. All assessors were blinded. RESULTS: Of 392 infants, 375 (96%) had complete data. Of these, 44 (12%) exhibited moderate or severe brain abnormalities, 17 (4.5%) had abnormal GMA, and 77 (20.3%) had abnormal HINE. Global and regional abnormality scores on sMRI were significantly correlated with GMA (R2 range 0.05-0.17) and HINE at 3-4 months of corrected age (R2 range 0.01-0.17). These associations remained significant in multivariable analyses after adjusting for gestational age and sex. There was a significant but low correlation (R2 0.14) between GMA and HINE. CONCLUSIONS: We observed a low prevalence of moderate or severe brain abnormalities in survivors born very preterm in this geographically defined cohort. The much greater prevalence of abnormal motor examination on the HINE compared with GMA and their low correlation suggests that these tests evaluate different constructs and, thus, should be used in combination with sMRI rather than interchangeably.

Validity of The Warner Initial Developmental Evaluation of Adaptive and Functional Skills (WIDEA-FS): a daily activity criterion checklist for infants and toddlers.

BACKGROUND: The Warner Initial Developmental Evaluation of Adaptive and Functional Skills (WIDEA-FS) is a 50-item, criterion-specified questionnaire that assesses a child's adaptive skills in everyday context and can be used in high-risk follow-up settings to identify risk for adverse neurodevelopmental outcome. Our aim was to validate the WIDEA-FS by comparing a sample of typically developing children to children with special health needs and to compare results to the Capute Scales, which include domains of including both the Cognitive Adaptive Test (CAT) and the Clinical Linguistic and Auditory Milestone Scale (CLAMS). METHODS: Six hundred and sixty children (typically developing and having special healthcare needs) aged 0-36 months completed the WIDEA-FS, the CAT, and the CLAMS assessments. RESULTS: Children with special health needs scored significantly lower on the WIDEA than those with typical development. WIDEA-FS subscales were significantly associated with the CAT (WIDEA-FS self-care 0.87, social cognition 0.89) and the CLAMS (WIDEA-FS communication 0.96, social cognition 0.92) tests. CONCLUSIONS: The WIDEA-FS has concurrent validity with the CAT and CLAMS and construct validity in that children with special health needs have significantly poorer performance on the WIDEA-FS than children with typical development. IMPACT: The WIDEA-FS demonstrated both construct validity and concurrent validity with the Capute Scales, including the Cognitive Adaptive Test (CAT) and the Clinical Linguistic and Auditory Milestone Scale (CLAMS). This is the first study to validate the use of the WIDEA-FS in children with typical development and children with special healthcare needs. The WIDEA-FS is a quick and valid checklist that can be used to assess neurodevelopmental functioning during daily activities in typically developing children and those at risk for neurodevelopmental differences.

Concurrent validity of the Warner Initial Developmental Evaluation of Adaptive and Functional Skills and the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition.

AIM: To determine the concurrent validity of the Warner Initial Developmental Evaluation of Adaptive and Functional Skills (WIDEA-FS), a criterion-specified questionnaire that assesses a child's adaptive skills in everyday contexts, and the Bayley Infant and Toddler Scales of Development, Third Edition (Bayley-III). METHOD: In a prospective cohort study, 431 WIDEA-FS and Bayley-III assessments were completed among 341 children, aged 10 to 36 months corrected age (158 females, 183 males; median [interquartile range] gestational age at birth 32wks [29-38]), monitored in a high-risk neonatal intensive care unit follow-up clinic. RESULTS: WIDEA-FS scores were significantly associated with Bayley-III scores in all domains. Lower scores on the WIDEA-FS were significantly associated with an increased risk of adverse developmental performance on all Bayley-III scales. The association was strongest for motor and language Bayley-III scores when tested at <30 months of age, and for cognitive Bayley-III scores when tested at ≥30 months of age. INTERPRETATION: The WIDEA-FS has concurrent validity with the Bayley-III and may be a useful tool in high-risk follow-up settings. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: WIDEA-FS mobility, communication, and social cognition domains are concurrently valid in infants at high-risk for neurodevelopmental disability. Bayley-III motor, language, and cognitive composite scores are concurrently valid in the same group. The WIDEA-FS mobility and communication domains may be most clinically useful in children <30 months.

The Test of Infant Motor Performance at 3 months predicts language, cognitive, and motor outcomes in infants born preterm at 2 years of age.

AIM: To determine the relationship between the Test of Infant Motor Performance (TIMP) at 3 months and cognitive, language, and motor outcomes on the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition (Bayley-III) at 2 years of age in high-risk infants born preterm. METHOD: One hundred and six infants (47 females, 59 males) born at earlier than 31 weeks gestational age were prospectively tested with the TIMP at 10 to 15 weeks after term age and were assessed again with the Bayley-III at 2 years corrected age. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated for various cut points of the TIMP z-score and Bayley-III composite scores of no more than 85. RESULTS: The TIMP z-scores at 10 to 15 weeks of age were significantly associated with all three subscales on the Bayley-III at 2 years of age (p<0.001). Using a TIMP z-score cutoff of -0.5, specificity was relatively high for cognitive (87%), language (88%), and motor (89%) outcomes, but sensitivity was low (cognitive 41%, language 49%, motor 57%). INTERPRETATION: This study demonstrates that the TIMP is related to cognitive, language, and motor outcomes on the Bayley-III at 2 years of age in high-risk infants born preterm. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: The Test of Infant Motor Performance (TIMP) predicts Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition outcomes at 2 years of age. The TIMP is relatively good at discriminating between children who will and will not have typical development.

The General Movement Optimality Score-Revised (GMOS-R) with Socioeconomically Stratified Percentile Ranks.

Background: The general movement optimality score (GMOS) quantifies the details of general movements (GMs). We recently conducted psychometric analyses of the GMOS and developed a revised scoresheet. Consequently, the GMOS-Revised (GMOS-R) instrument necessitated validation using new percentile ranks. This study aimed to provide these percentile ranks for the GMOS-R and to investigate whether sex, preterm birth, or the infant's country of birth and residence affected the GMOS-R distribution. Methods: We applied the GMOS-R to an international sample of 1983 infants (32% female, 44% male, and 24% not disclosed), assessed in the extremely and very preterm period (10%), moderate (12%) and late (22%) preterm periods, at term (25%), and post-term age (31%). Data were grouped according to the World Bank's classification into lower- and upper-middle-income countries (LMICs and UMICs; 26%) or high-income countries (HICs; 74%), respectively. Results: We found that sex and preterm or term birth did not affect either GM classification or the GMOS-R, but the country of residence did. A lower median GMOS-R for infants with normal or poor-repertoire GMs from LMICs and UMICs compared with HICs suggests the use of specific percentile ranks for LMICs and UMICs vs. HICs. Conclusion: For clinical and scientific use, we provide a freely available GMOS-R scoring sheet, with percentile ranks reflecting socioeconomic stratification.

Stability of the Motor Optimality Score Revised (MOS-R) in medically complex infants.

BACKGROUND: The Motor Optimality Score-Revised (MOS-R) is a clinical test of infant spontaneous movement at 3-5 months of age and has been associated with neurodevelopmental outcomes in infants with medical complexity. However the stability of the MOS-R tested at different developmental ages is not yet known. AIM: To determine if the repeated scoring of the MOS-R remained consistent when tested at two developmental ages in young infants. STUDY DESIGN: In this prospective cohort study, infants were tested twice with the MOS-R between 12 and 13 weeks corrected age (CA) and 14-16 weeks CA. Bland Altman Plots were used to calculate agreement between the scores. Infants were grouped as having higher or lower medical complexity. MOS-R threshold scores were analyzed to assess changes over time within each group using Fisher's exact test. SUBJECTS: 85 infants with history of hospitalization in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). RESULTS: The MOS-R scores had a high agreement with negligible bias (0.058) between timepoints (95 % CI -1.10, 1.22). Using a MOS-R cut point of 19, infants with higher medical complexity were more likely to change groups between timepoints than infants with lower medical complexity (p = 0.008), but this was not significantly different using cut points of 20 or 21. CONCLUSION: The MOS-R scores were stable when measured repeatedly in infants who were hospitalized in a NICU. Infants with high medical complexity had less stable MOS-R scores using certain cut points than infants with lower medical complexity.

Neurodevelopmental Outcomes of Preschoolers with Antenatal Zika Virus Exposure Born in the United States.

Neurodevelopmental outcomes for preschool-age children in the United States with in utero Zika virus (ZIKV) exposure have not yet been reported. We performed a case-control study to assess whether children exposed in utero to ZIKV have abnormal neurodevelopment at age 4-5 years compared to unexposed controls. Thirteen ZIKV-exposed cases that did not have microcephaly or other specific features of congenital Zika syndrome and 12 controls were evaluated between ages 4-5 years. Child neurodevelopment was assessed using the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory, Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function, Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test, Bracken School Readiness Assessment (BSRA), and Movement Assessment Battery for Children (MABC). Caregivers answered questions on the child's medical history and family demographics. Cases and controls were evaluated at mean (SD) ages 4.9 (0.3) and 4.8 (0.4) years, respectively. Caregivers reported more behavior and mood problems in cases than controls. MABC scores showed more gross and fine motor coordination difficulties among cases than controls. Controls trended towards higher performance on concepts underlying school readiness on BSRA. Three cases had a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder or global developmental delay. Continued follow-up through school age for children with prenatal ZIKV exposure is needed to understand the impact of in utero ZIKV exposure on motor coordination, cognition, executive function, and academic achievement.

Neurodevelopmental Outcomes of Normocephalic Colombian Children with Antenatal Zika Virus Exposure at School Entry.

The long-term neurodevelopmental effects of antenatal Zika virus (ZIKV) exposure in children without congenital Zika syndrome (CZS) remain unclear, as few children have been examined to the age of school entry level. A total of 51 Colombian children with antenatal ZIKV exposure without CZS and 70 unexposed controls were evaluated at 4-5 years of age using the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF), the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI-CAT), the Bracken School Readiness Assessment (BSRA), and the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (MABC). The mean ages at evaluation were 5.3 and 5.2 years for cases and controls, respectively. Elevated BRIEF scores in Shift and Emotional Control may suggest lower emotional regulation in cases. A greater number of cases were reported by parents to have behavior and mood problems. BSRA and PEDI-CAT activity scores were unexpectedly higher in cases, most likely related to the COVID-19 pandemic and a delayed school entry among the controls. Although PEDI-CAT mobility scores were lower in cases, there were no differences in motor scores on the MABC. Of 40 cases with neonatal neuroimaging, neurodevelopment in 17 with mild non-specific findings was no different from 23 cases with normal neuroimaging. Normocephalic children with ZIKV exposure have positive developmental trajectories at 4-5 years of age but differ from controls in measures of emotional regulation and adaptive mobility, necessitating continued follow-up.

Smartphone application links severity of retinopathy of prematurity to early motor behavior in a cohort of high-risk preterm infants.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the General Movement Assessment (GMA) with the Motor Optimality Score-Revised (MOS-R) as a neurodevelopmental marker in infants with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). METHODS: Infants screened prospectively for ROP were evaluated at 3 months' post-term age using a smartphone application to complete the GMA and MOS-R. Results were analyzed by ROP severity. RESULTS: Of 105 enrolled infants, 83 completed the study. Of these, 54 (65%) had any ROP, 32 (39%) had severe ROP, and 13 (16%) had type 1 ROP. The proportion with aberrant GMA was significantly higher in infants with severe ROP (14/32 [44%]) compared with infants who had milder ROP (8/51 [16%]; P = 0.006). Of those with severe ROP, there was no significant difference comparing infants with type 1 ROP treated with bevacizumab (7/13 [54%]) to infants with type 2 ROP without treatment (7/19 [37%]; P = 0.47). Although the presence of any ROP, stage of ROP, and severe ROP each predicted lower MOS-R scores on univariate analyses, only severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia and markers of brain injury remained significant in the multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: The GMA was a convenient, short-term method of data collection with low attrition. Although severe ROP initially appeared linked to poor early motor scores, this association is likely confounded by neurological and respiratory complications, which frequently accompany severe ROP.

Protocol for a randomized controlled trial to evaluate a year-long (NICU-to-home) evidence-based, high dose physical therapy intervention in infants at risk of neuromotor delay.

INTRODUCTION: Developmental disabilities and neuromotor delay adversely affect long-term neuromuscular function and quality of life. Current evidence suggests that early therapeutic intervention reduces the severity of motor delay by harnessing neuroplastic potential during infancy. To date, most early therapeutic intervention trials are of limited duration and do not begin soon after birth and thus do not take full advantage of early neuroplasticity. The Corbett Ryan-Northwestern-Shirley Ryan AbilityLab-Lurie Children's Infant Early Detection, Intervention and Prevention Project (Project Corbett Ryan) is a multi-site longitudinal randomized controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of an evidence-based physical therapy intervention initiated in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and continuing to 12 months of age (corrected when applicable). The study integrates five key principles: active learning, environmental enrichment, caregiver engagement, a strengths-based approach, and high dosage (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT05568264). METHODS: We will recruit 192 infants at risk for neuromotor delay who were admitted to the NICU. Infants will be randomized to either a standard-of-care group or an intervention group; infants in both groups will have access to standard-of-care services. The intervention is initiated in the NICU and continues in the infant's home until 12 months of age. Participants will receive twice-weekly physical therapy sessions and caregiver-guided daily activities, assigned by the therapist, targeting collaboratively identified goals. We will use various standardized clinical assessments (General Movement Assessment; Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, 4th Edition (Bayley-4); Test of Infant Motor Performance; Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Family Impact Module; Alberta Infant Motor Scale; Neurological, Sensory, Motor, Developmental Assessment; Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination) as well as novel technology-based tools (wearable sensors, video-based pose estimation) to evaluate neuromotor status and development throughout the course of the study. The primary outcome is the Bayley-4 motor score at 12 months; we will compare scores in infants receiving the intervention vs. standard-of-care therapy.

Motor Optimality Scores are significantly lower in a population of high-risk infants than in infants born moderate-late preterm.

BACKGROUND: The Motor Optimality Score-Revised (MOS-R) is a detailed scoring of the General Movement Assessment (GMA), measuring the spontaneous behaviors of infants. Infants born moderate-late preterm are not traditionally followed in high-risk clinics, but have increased risk of neurodevelopmental disability. AIMS: Compare MOS-R at 3 months corrected age (CA) in high-risk (HR; very preterm or abnormal neuroimaging) infants to infants born moderate-late preterm (MLP). STUDY DESIGN: In this prospective cohort study, parents of enrolled infants created video recordings using an app at 3 months CA. Videos were scored with the General Movement Assessment (GMA) and MOS-R. MOS-R scores were divided into "higher-risk" (≤19) and "lower-risk" (≥20). SUBJECTS: 181 infants born MLP or categorized as HR. RESULTS: Among enrolled infants, 68 (38 %) were in the MLP group, and 113 infants were in the HR group. The HR group had 3.8 increased odds of having an aberrant GMA score compared to the MLP group (p < 0.01, 95 % CI 1.38-10.52). The HR group had significantly lower MOS-R scores (mean 20) than the MLP group (mean 24; p < 0.001; 95%CI 3.3-7.3). The HR group had 11.2 increased odds of having a higher-risk MOS-R score (95%CI 2.5-47.6, p < 0.001) than MLP group. Infants were most likely to have a lower MOS-R score if they had any of the following: VP shunt placement, periventricular leukomalacia, or bronchopulmonary dysplasia. CONCLUSIONS: Aberrant GMA and higher-risk MOS-R scores were more common in infants at high-risk, reflecting history of brain lesions and younger gestational age at birth.

Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Developmental Service Delivery in Children With a History of Neonatal Seizures.

BACKGROUND: Children with a history of acute provoked neonatal seizures are at high risk for disability, often requiring developmental services. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to widespread changes in how health care is delivered. Our objective was to determine the magnitude of service interruption of among children born between October 2014 and December 2017 and enrolled in the Neonatal Seizure Registry (NSR), a nine-center collaborative of pediatric centers in the United States. METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study of children with acute provoked seizures with onset ≤44 weeks' gestation and evaluated at age three to six years. Parents of children enrolled in the NSR completed a survey about their child's access to developmental services between June 2020 and April 2021. RESULTS: Among 144 children enrolled, 72 children (50%) were receiving developmental services at the time of assessment. Children receiving services were more likely to be male, born preterm, and have seizure etiology of infection or ischemic stroke. Of these children, 64 (89%) experienced a disruption in developmental services due to the pandemic, with the majority of families (n = 47, 73%) reporting that in-person services were no longer available. CONCLUSIONS: Half of children with acute provoked neonatal seizures were receiving developmental services at ages three to six years. The COVID-19 pandemic has led to widespread changes in delivery of developmental services. Disruptions in services have the potential to impact long-term outcomes for children who rely on specialized care programs to optimize mobility and learning.