Abstract
The purpose of this study was to test a method developed to predict developmental outcome from repeated measures of the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale. It was hypothesized that patterns of change in neonatal behavior during the first month of life measure neonatal adaptation to the post natal environment and relate to developmental outcome in the second year of life. Twenty term and 20 preterm infants were assessed with the Brazelton scale at term and 2 and 4 weeks post term. Individual profile curves were measured on parameters such as level, velocity, and acceleration of behavioral performance. The profile curve parameters were correlated with the Bayley mental developmental index (MDI) at 18 months of age. The Brazelton scale curve parameters explained 49% of the variance in MDI scores in the term group (r=.70,p<.01) and 63% of MDI scores in the preterm group (r=.79,p<.01). The results suggest that patterns of change in Brazelton scale performance during the first month post term are related to subsequent mental development and provide evidence for the predictive validity of the Brazelton scale.
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