Alberta Infant Motor Scale Research Articles

Instability of gross motor development during the first year in orphaned infants: a longitudinal observation study

ABSTRACT Infants in an orphanage who live in an underprivileged environment show delayed gross motor development; however longitudinal investigations of gross motor development in orphaned infants are limited. This study aimed to assess the variability of gross motor development of orphaned infants using a longitudinal observation. The gross motor development of 11 infants aged1.5 months was assessed monthly until 11.5 months of age using the Alberta Infant Motor Scale. Infants showed instability of gross motor development. The total mean range of gross motor percentile was 55.4 (SD, 18.6; 95% confidence interval = 42.9–68.0). Thirty-six per cent of infants had little fluctuation of gross motor percentile that was below the 50th percentile across 11 assessments. Infants in orphanages display less instability of gross motor percentile. Orphaned infants, especially those with biological risk factors, should have their gross motor development monitored longitudinally during the first year of life.

Children Born With Congenital Zika Syndrome Display Atypical Gross Motor Development and a Higher Risk for Cerebral Palsy.

Congenital Zika syndrome virus infection is said to interfere in children's development. evaluate gross motor trajectories and the frequency of cerebral palsy in children with congenital Zika syndrome. Cohort study applying the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) and the Bayley III Scales in infants from 6 to 18 months of age. The SARAH network, Rio de Janeiro. Thirty-nine infants whose diagnoses were established through clinical history, serology tests, and neuroimaging findings. Main outcomes and measures: Congenital Zika syndrome is associated with severe motor delays and is a risk factor to the diagnosis of cerebral palsy. The Alberta Infant Motor Scale mean raw score at 6 months was 9.74 (SD 4.80) or equivalent to 2 to 3 months of motor developmental age. At the age of 12 months, 14.13 (SD 11.90), corresponding to 3 to 4 months of motor development age; the Bayley III Scales results correlated to the Alberta Infant Motor Scale ( P < .001) at this age. At 18 months, 15.77 (SD 13.80) or a motor development equivalent to 4 to 5 months of age. Thirty-five of 39 children (89.7%) met criteria for the diagnosis of cerebral palsy. Conclusions and relevance: Gross motor development marginally progresses from 6 to 18 months of age. These individuals also displayed a high frequency of cerebral palsy.

Motor development’s curves of premature infants on the first year of life according to Alberta Infant Motor Scale

Abstract Introduction: The motor trajectory of pre-term children is an important indicator of health during infancy, since alterations may be a signal for the need of professional intervention. Objective: To describe percentiles and motor development curves for Brazilian preterm infants in the first year of life, determining the reference values for categorization of motor performance assessed by the AIMS. Methods: Participated in this cross-sectional study 976 children born pre-term, newly-born to 12 months of corrected age. The Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) was used to assess participants’ motor development. The scores of the Brazilian norms were used as comparison criteria. Results: Children born pre-term showed lower scores compared to children born full-term indicating the need for a specific percentile curve for that population. The scores differentiated at P1 to P99 percentiles allowing for the categorization of children with typical development, at risk and with atypical development. At 0, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 months an overlapping of extreme percentiles (P1, P5 and P10; P90, P95 and P99) was observed, but not in the other percentiles. Conclusion: The percentiles described indicate that preterm children presented lower motor performance than full-term children and AIMS has discriminant power for the clinical evaluation of these children. The developmental curves showed lower capacity for behavioral differentiation in the extreme percentiles.

Motor Function Test Reliability During the NeuroNEXT Spinal Muscular Atrophy Infant Biomarker Study.

The NeuroNEXT SMA Infant Biomarker Study, a two year, longitudinal, multi-center study of infants with SMA type 1 and healthy infants, presented a unique opportunity to assess multi-site rater reliability on three infant motor function tests (MFTs) commonly used to assess infants with SMA type 1. To determine the effect of prospective MFT rater training and the effect of rater experience on inter-rater and intra-rater reliability for the Test of Infant Motor Performance Screening Items (TIMPSI), the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Infant Test of Neuromuscular Disorders (CHOP-INTEND) and the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS). Training was conducted utilizing a novel set of motor function test (MFT) videos to optimize accurate MFT administration and reliability for the study duration. Inter- and intra-rater reliability of scoring for the TIMPSI and inter-rater reliability of scoring for the CHOP INTEND and the AIMS was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Effect of rater experience on reliability was examined using ICC. Agreement with 'expert' consensus scores was examined using Pearson's correlation coefficients. Inter-rater reliability on all MFTs was good to excellent. Intra-rater reliability for the primary MFT, the TIMPSI, was excellent for the study duration. Agreement with 'expert' consensus was within predetermined limits (≥85%) after training. Evaluator experience with SMA and MFTs did not affect reliability. Reliability of scores across evaluators was demonstrated for all three study MFTs and scores were reproducible on repeated administration. Evaluator experience had no effect on reliability.

Superior Performance in Prone in Infants With Congenital Heart Disease Predicts an Earlier Onset of Walking.

Infants with congenital heart disease are at risk of impaired neurodevelopment, which frequently manifests as motor delay during their first years of life. This delay is multifactorial in origin and environmental factors, such as a limited experience in prone, may play a role. In this study, we evaluated the motor development of a prospective cohort of 71 infants (37 males) with congenital heart disease at 4 months of age using the Alberta Infant Motor Scales (AIMS). We used regression analyses to determine whether the 4-month AIMS scores predict the ability to walk by 18 months. The influence of demographic and clinical variables was also assessed. Fifty-one infants (71.8%) were able to maintain the prone prop position (AIMS score of ≥3 in prone) at 4 months. Of those, 47 (92.2%) were able to walk by 18 months compared to only 12/20 (60%) of those who did not maintain the position. Higher AIMS scores were predictive of a greater likelihood of walking by 18 months ( P < .001), with the scores in prone having a higher predictive ability compared to those in other positions (Exp(B) 15.2 vs 4.0). Shorter hospital stays and female gender were also associated with an earlier onset of walking. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that early ventral performance in infants with congenital heart disease impacts the age of acquisition of walking and could be used to guide referral to rehabilitation.

Current Therapeutic Management of Perinatal Stroke with a Focus on the Upper Limb: A Cross-Sectional Survey of UK Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists

Aim: To determine current UK pediatric physiotherapist (PT) and occupational therapist (OT) management of perinatal stroke. Design: Web-based cross-sectional survey. Methods: Participants were members of the Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists specialist section: children young people and families working with infants. Items covered prioritization of referrals, assessments, therapy approaches aimed at the upper limb, and parental support. Results: 179 therapists responded. 87.2% of PTs and 63.0% of OTs managed infants with perinatal stroke. Infants with clinical signs of motor dysfunction at referral were prioritized for early initial assessment. The most frequently used assessments were the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) and Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID). Of PTs and OTs, 41.9 and 40.0% used no standardized assessments. Frequently used therapy interventions were Bobath/Neurodevelopmental Therapy (NDT), positioning aids and passive movements. 88.1% of therapists would choose a bilateral rather than unilateral (affected side) therapy approach for infants with perinatal stroke aged up to 6 months. Of PTs and OTs, 56.9 and 57.1% provided psychological support to families. Conclusions: Assessment and provision of therapy services following perinatal stroke is variable. Increased use of standardized assessments and centralized data collection regarding service provision for high-risk infants is recommended.

Placental Histology After Minor Trauma in Pregnancy: A Pilot Study.

ObjectiveTrauma in pregnancy may cause placental abruption. Consequences of moderate placental injury on neurodevelopment are unknown. The aim was to evaluate placental histology after maternal trauma.MethodsA prospective study was conducted at 2 tertiary medical centers in the Netherlands. Placentas from women exposed to maternal trauma ≥ 20 weeks’ gestational age were histologically examined. Neurological follow-up of the infants was performed at 1 year of age by means of Alberta Infant Motor Scale. Histological findings were compared to placentas from pregnancies without trauma.Principal ResultsThirteen placentas were investigated in the trauma group. The control group consisted of 15 placentas. Placental pathology was seen more often in the trauma cases (11 of the 13) than in the controls (6 of the 15), P = .024. Neurological follow-up was normal.ConclusionsIn this small population, majority of the placentas showed pathology after minor trauma in pregnancy without consequences for neurodevelopment at 1 year.

Validity and cross-cultural differences of the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition in typically developing infants

BackgroundThe Dutch translation of Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition (Bayley-III-NL) is a comprehensive tool assessing cognitive, language and motor development in children up to 42 months. AimsThe first aim of this study was to evaluate concurrent validity of the Bayley-III-NL Gross Motor Scale (GMS) in relation to the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS). Secondly, divergent validity between the other subscales mutually and the AIMS was investigated. Finally, the importance of population-specific reference values was examined. Methods and proceduresA sample of 122 healthy, typically developing Flemish children (mean age: 9 months 7 days), born full term was assessed with the Bayley-III-NL and the AIMS. Outcomes and resultsConcurrent validity of the Bayley-III-NL GMS and the AIMS was moderate to high (0.59–0.98; p < 0.001). In addition, weak correlations (−0.10–0.27) between the non-motor-Bayley-III-NL subscales and the AIMS were found. Finally, significant differences were found between Bayley-III scores based on Flemish and American norms (p < 0.001), except for fine motor skills (p = 0.11). Conclusions and ImplicationsThis study provides support for the concurrent validity of the Bayley-III-NL GMS and divergent validity of the different Bayley-III-NL subscales. Secondly, population-specific reference values should be used to avoid over- and under estimation of infant's development.

Early-onset of symptoms and clinical course of Pompe disease associated with the c.-32–13 T > G variant

BackgroundIndividuals with late-onset Pompe disease (LOPD) and the common c.-32–13 T > G variant are widely thought to have milder, adult-onset disease. This belief, and the consequent low suspicion of clinical involvement in children, has led to delays in diagnosis and treatment initiation in patients with early onset of symptoms. Previous reports of LOPD in children do not include description of the early-onset phenotype. This description of signs and symptoms, some of which are subtle and less known, is important to facilitate prompt identification and appropriate treatment in symptomatic children. MethodsRetrospective chart review of a cohort of 84 LOPD patients with the c.-32–13 T > G variant was conducted to identify patients diagnosed clinically (as opposed to through newborn screening) who had clinically documented symptom-onset within the first two years of life. ResultsFour patients had early onset of symptoms, with age at onset ranging from 10 days to 20 months. Initial symptoms included delay in achievement of gross motor milestones, signs of proximal muscle weakness, swallow and feeding difficulties, and sleep apnea. Early and characteristic alterations in posture and movement were identified in all patients. Age at diagnosis ranged from 10 months to 26 months. Median age at enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) initiation was 23.5 months. Despite ERT, progression of musculoskeletal involvement and residual muscle weakness was evident in all patients, as evidenced by ptosis, myopathic facies, scoliosis, lumbar lordosis, scapular winging, and trunk and lower extremity weakness. Standardized functional assessments showed gross motor function below age level as measured by the Alberta Infant Motor Scales, the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales-2, the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, Second Edition, and the six-minute walk test. ConclusionsOnset of symptoms including delay in achievement of gross motor milestones, signs of proximal muscle weakness, swallow and feeding difficulties, and sleep apnea in the first two years of life is not uncommon in individuals with LOPD and the c.-32–13 T > G variant. Patients with early-onset disease appear to have a more, rapid and severe progression of disease with persistent residual muscle deficits which partially improve with higher doses of ERT. Careful evaluation for specific and characteristic patterns of posture and movement in patients with this variant is necessary to identify those who have early onset of disease. Increased awareness of the early-onset signs and symptoms may also enable early identification of disease onset in children who are diagnosed through newborn screening.

Effects of scalp acupuncture on brain injury in premature infants with different months of age

To explore the clinical efficacy differences of scalp acupuncture on brain injury in premature infants with different months of age. According to the corrected months of age, 90 cases of premature infants with brain injury were divided into a group A (3 through 6 corrected months of age), a group B (7 through 9 corrected months of age) and group C (10 through 12 corrected months of age), 30 patients in each one. Based on the conventional early intervention, the infants in the group A were treated with scalp acupuncture at Zhiqizhen, motor area; the infants in the group B were treated with scalp acupuncture at Zhiqizhen, motor area and foot motor sensory area; the infants in the group C were treated with scalp acupuncture at Zhiqizhen, motor area, foot motor sensory area and balance area. All the treatment was given once every other day, and totally 30 treatments were given. The Alberta infant motor scale (AIMS), development quotient (DQ) of each function indexes in Gesell developmental scale (GDS) were observed before and after treatment; the clinical efficacy of each group was compared and the correlation between clinical efficacy and months of age was analyzed. Compared before treatment, the total score of AIMS and DQ of each function indexes of GDS were all improved in the three groups after treatment (all P<0.01). After treatment, the differences of total score of AIMS and DQ of each function indexes of GDS among the three groups were significant (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the results in the group A were higher than those in the group B and the group C (P<0.05, P<0.01). The total effective rate was 96.3% (26/27) in the group A, which was higher than 89.7% (26/29) in the group B and 83.3% (25/30) in the group C. The correlation analysis indicated less months of age was significantly corelated with better efficacy (P<0.05). Scalp acupuncture has superior improvement on the recovery of brain damage in premature infants, especially for those with 6 months of age or less.

Psychometrics study of Alberta Infant Motor Scale and Peabody developmental motor scale in high risk infants

The aim of this study was to compare the psychometric properties of Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) with gross motor scale of Peabody Developmental Motor Scale II (PDMS-II) when they were used in high-risk infants. Fifty-eight high-risk infants with the average age 4.46 ± 0.97 months (from 2 to 6 months) were recruited to this study. Three investigators experienced in AIMS and PDMS-II participated in this study. Each investigator administered the AIMS and PDMS-II to the infants and recorded the assessment results. Forty-seven high-risk infants were followed-up till two years old. The diagnosis at two years old and the first scale assessment result were used to investigate the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of AIMS and PDMS-II. When used in high-risk infants in an early age, the AIMS's sensitivity was 0.857, specificity was 0.731, positive predictive value was 0.720, and negative predictive value was 0.864. For the PDMS-II, the sensitivity was 0.524, specificity was 1.000, positive predictive value was 1.000, and negative predictive value was 0.722. The AIMS is a sensitive monitor tool to evaluate the motor development of high-risk infants at very early age compared with PDMS-II. It needs to dynamic monitor for the high-risk infants.

Validity study of Alberta infant motor scale

Alberta Infant Motor Scale is an assessment tool to evaluate the gross motor development of the infant between birth until independent walking. It is a clinical practical assessment tool to be used and has been used broadly. The aim of this study was to examine the concurrent validity of Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) in Chinese with gross motor scale of Peabody Developmental Motor Scale II (PDMS-II) when used in high-risk infants. One hundred and eighteen high-risk infants with the average age of 7.76 ± 3.93 months (from 2 to 17 months) were recruited to this study. Three investigators experienced in AIMS and PDMS-II participated in this study. Each investigator administered the AIMS and PDMS-II to the infants within one week and recorded the assessment results. The raw scores of AIMS and PDMS-II-GM for each infant were analyzed for the concurrent validity. The Pearson correlation coefficient of AIMS with PDMS-II was 0.97. For the 0∼4 month group, the Pearson correlation coefficient was 0.94. For the 4∼8 month group, Pearson correlation coefficient was 0.95. For the 8∼12 month group, Pearson correlation coefficient was 0.94. For the >12 month group, Pearson correlation coefficient was 0.91. The AIMS in Chinese had high concurrent validity with PDMS-II when used in high-risk infants at very early age.

Reliability and Concurrent Validity of a Chinese Version of the Alberta Infant Motor Scale Administered to High-Risk Infants in China

The Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) is widely used to screen for delays in motor development in high-risk infants, but its reliability and validity in Chinese infants have not been investigated. To examine the reliability and concurrent validity of AIMS in high-risk infants aged 0-9 months in China, this single-center study enrolled 50 high-risk infants aged 0-9 months (range, 0.17-9.27; average, 4.14±2.02), who were divided into two groups: 0-3 months (n=23) and 4-9 months (n=27). A physical therapist evaluated the infants with AIMS, with each evaluation video-recorded. To examine interrater reliability, two other evaluators calculated AIMS scores by observing the videos. To measure intrarater reliability, the two evaluators rescored AIMS after >1 month, using the videos. Concurrent validity was assessed by comparing results between AIMS and the Peabody Developmental Motor Scale-2 (PDMS-2). For all age groups analyzed (0-3, 4-9, and 0-9 months), intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for AIMS total score were high for both intrarater comparisons (0.811-0.995) and interrater comparisons (0.982-0.997). AIMS total scores were well correlated with all PDMS-2 subtest scores (ICC=0.751-0.977 for reflexes, stationary, locomotion, grasping, and visual-motor integration subsets). However, the fifth percentile of AIMS total score was only moderately correlated with the gross motor quotient, fine motor quotient, and total motor quotient subtests of PDMS-2 (kappa=0.580, 0.601, and 0.724, respectively). AIMS has acceptable reliability and concurrent validity for screening of motor developmental delay in high-risk infants in China.

Spontaneous movements of preterm infants is associated with outcome of gross motor development

AimsWe conducted a longitudinal cohort study to analyze the relationship between outcome of gross motor development in preterm infants and factors that might affect their development. MethodsPreterm infants with a birth weight of <1500 g were recruited. We measured spontaneous antigravity limbs movements by 3D motion capture system at 3 months corrected age. Gross motor developmental outcomes at 6 and 12 months corrected age were evaluated using the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS). Statistical analysis was carried out by canonical correlation analysis. ResultsEighteen preterm infants were included. In the 6 months corrected age analysis, spontaneous movement had a major effect on Prone and Sitting at 6 months corrected age of AIMS. In the 12 months corrected age analysis, spontaneous movement had a major effect on Sitting and Standing at 12 months corrected age of AIMS. ConclusionsIn preterm infants, better antigravity spontaneous movements at 3 months corrected age were significantly correlated with better gross motor development at 6 or 12 months corrected age.

Therapeutic hypothermia for neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy: magnetic resonance imaging findings and neurological outcomes in a Brazilian cohort

Objective: To determine the neurodevelopment outcomes after therapeutic hypothermia for neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) and identify the neonatal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings associated with neurological outcome in a middle-income country.Study design: All infants born after 35 completed weeks’ gestation with signs of moderate to severe encephalopathy and evidence of perinatal asphyxia before 6 hours of life were submitted to whole-body hypothermia and were imaged at 18 ± 8.4 days of life (range 7–33 days) after birth. Surviving infants had the neurodevelopment outcome assessed at 12 to 18 months of age by trained professional masked to MRI findings.Results: Forty-eight infants included, MRI scans were obtained from 34 infants; 14 (29.1%) patients died during hospitalization before MRI was performed. Nine (64.3%) of 14 patients were classified as severe encephalopathy presented Posterior Limb Internal Capsule (PLIC) sign at the MRI, 10 (71.4%) thalamus and basal ganglia (TBG) lesion, 9 (64.3%) white matter (WM) lesion, and 7 (50.0%) cortical lesion. Severe encephalopathy was associated with the motor delay at 12–18 months by Bayley III, Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS), and Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) scores (p = .020, p = .048, p = .033, respectively), but not for the cognitive (p = .167) or language skills (p = .309). Lower BSID-III motor, cognitive, and language composite scores were associated with PLIC sign (p = .047; p = .006 and p = .003, respectively). TBG lesion (p = .051) and cortical lesion (p = .030) were associated with lower language composite score. Motor delay by AIMS and the presence of PLIC sign, TBG lesion, WM lesion, and Cortical lesion on MRI were observed (p < .001; p = .002; p = .001 and p = .027, respectively); as well as higher GMFCS score were associated with the presence of PLIC sign, TBG lesion, WM lesion, and Cortical lesion on MRI (p < .001; p = .001; p = .001, and p = .011, respectively).Conclusions: Brain MRI in neonates with HIE after therapeutic hypothermia is a valuable tool for diagnosis of encephalopathy cerebral abnormalities and is an early predictor of outcome in infants treated with whole body hypothermia for HIE in the Brazilian experience.

Concurrent validity between instruments of assessment of motor development in infants exposed to HIV

BackgroundExposure to HIV during pregnancy is a risks to development. Exposed child should have assessed its development since birth. Alberta Infant Motor Scale is a tool which assess gross motor skills, with easy application and low cost. Up to now, this scale had not proven its validity for the population exposed to HIV. It’s necessary to compare its with a gold standard tool, Bayley scale, which assess gross and fine motor skills, has a high cost and longer application time required. Studies compare results of Alberta with Bayley’s total motor score (gross + fine). However, it’s also necessary to compare Alberta’s result with only Bayley’s gross motor result, because it’s what both evaluate in common. Aimsto verify the concurrent validity of AIMS in infants exposed to HIV; to verify the correlation of AIMS and BSITD III for this population and to compare if these coefficients differ in the central age groups and extremities of the AIMS. Methods82 infants exposed to HIV evaluated in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 8th, 12th, 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th months, with Alberta Infant Motor Scale and Bayley Scale (motor subscale). For analysis of concurrent validity, results of raw scores of the scales were compared with the correlation analysis. First analysis: Alberta’s score with Bayley’s total (gross + fine) motor score. Second analysis: Alberta’s score with Bayley’s gross motor score. ResultsIn the first correlation analysis, results were: r = 0.62 in 1 st month, r = 0.64 in 2nd month, r = 0.08 in 3rd month, r = 0.45 in 4th month; r = 0.62 in 8th month, r = 0.60 in the 12th month. In the second correlation analysis, results were: r = 0.69 in 1 st month; r = 0.58 in 2nd month; r = 0.25 in 3rd month; r = 0.45 in the 4th month; r = 0.77 in 8th month; r = 0.73 in 12th month. Analyzes of the 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th months couldn’t be performed because at these ages all the children had already reached the maximum score in the AIMS. Results were significant and indicate correlation between scales. Found results agree with other studies that found high correlations between the scales in premature and risk groups. However, these studies compare results of gross motor skills assessments with gross and fine motor skills assessments. Our results show that correlation only between the gross motor skills have higher coefficient values, and we believe this is the best way to compare the scales, with what both assessed in common. ConclusionsAlberta scale has correlation with Bayley scale in assessing of children exposed to HIV, and can be a substitute to Bayley in assessing of these children. Results are stronger when comparing only what both scales assess in common.

Motor Neurodevelopment of Preterm Children Cohort until one Year of Corrected Age according to Alberta Infant Motor Scale

Introduction: The Alberta Infant Motor Scale (Alberta Scale in the text) is used globally to evaluate the motor development, in both preterm and term children under the18 months of birth, in Colombia the tool is used, but there is few information about the results it gives when applied in our environment. Objectives: characterize a retrospective cohort of children under 1 year according to the Alberta Scale to generate information about the results of the application of this one in Colombian population attended in a fourth level hospital. Methods: Descriptive, retrospective, cross-sectional study, where the medical histories of 411 children with corrected age between 0 and 12 months of birth and background of gestational age under 40 weeks were evaluated. To all the children were applied the Alberta Scale between 2010 and 2016 and the scores according to this were statistically analyzed in a descriptive form. Results: Most of the patients were classified by the scale as “normal development” as it was expected from their background, the children of our sample present lower scores than the original Canadian sample at all the ages. Conclusion: The scale showed to be useful at the screening of the normal child, however, the patients presented lower scores when evaluated by the scale than in the original study, evidence is generated about the need to validate the scale in Colombia and to generate reference curves for this.

The Validity of Two Neuromotor Assessments for Predicting Motor Performance at 12 Months in Preterm Infants.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the validity of the Test of Infant Motor Performance (TIMP) and general movements (GMs) assessment for predicting Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) score at 12 months in preterm infants.MethodsA total of 44 preterm infants who underwent the GMs and TIMP at 1 month and 3 months of corrected age (CA) and whose motor performance was evaluated using AIMS at 12 months CA were included. GMs were judged as abnormal on basis of poor repertoire or cramped-synchronized movements at 1 month CA and abnormal or absent fidgety movement at 3 months CA. TIMP and AIMS scores were categorized as normal (average and low average and >5th percentile, respectively) or abnormal (below average and far below average or <5th percentile, respectively). Correlations between GMs and TIMP scores at 1 month and 3 months CA and the AIMS classification at 12 months CA were examined.ResultsThe TIMP score at 3 months CA and GMs at 1 month and 3 months CA were significantly correlated with the motor performance at 12 months CA. However, the TIMP score at 1 month CA did not correlate with the AIMS classification at 12 months CA. For infants with normal GMs at 3 months CA, the TIMP score at 3 months CA correlated significantly with the AIMS classification at 12 months CA.ConclusionOur findings suggest that neuromotor assessment using GMs and TIMP could be useful to identify preterm infants who are likely to benefit from intervention.

Neuromotor Development in a Girl with SERAC 1 Gene Dysfunction from Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: A case study

Background & Purpose: The SERAC1 gene mutation is rare disorder related to deficits in mitochondrial metabolism. Neuromotor development was not studied in literature for this type of patients based on physical therapy perspectives. However, in this case report, we described the Neuromotor development in a child with SERAC1 mutation at 18 months of age in order to plan for better rehabilitation care in pediatrics physical therapy profession. Case Description: A girl child with SERAC1 mutation (18 months old) presented to the physical therapy clinic with delay in Neuromotor development. During physical therapy evaluation, hearing and vision are intact, Able to distinguish her parents voice and able to recognize them. Speech is impaired, Head control and sitting was perceived at six months of age and became very dependent at 18 months of age. Grasping and reaching is not completely developed. Outcomes: The child was evaluated at the age of 12th and 18th month for normal development by using Alberta infant motor scale. The total score at 12 months was 17/58, and at 18th month was 13/58. We observed that the child development was less than 5th percentile of normal at both the measurements. We evaluated her neuromotor development by using Infant Neurological International Battery (INFANIB). The child was under abnormal category for neuromotor systems by having the total score 36/100. We used these two outcome measures as primary measure since they are the most common measures that used among pediatric physical therapists. Discussion: This indicates that the abnormality in motor development was due to the nature of the disease, which is consistent with clinical manifestations presented in the literature. Both the scales have good reliability and validity. INFANIB scale has good predictive validity, by seeing definite abnormality at the 18th month we can assume that child may not have normal development in future also. Conclusion: Future studies are required to explore the effectiveness of intensive rehabilitation therapy (including physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech pathology services) in improving neuromotor development also to prevent any neuromotor regression for this type of disease. In addition, further investigations are required such as hearing test for better rehabilitation outcomes.

A Review of Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS)

N/A - This paper is a short commentary on an outcome measure and is part of special issue on outcome measure. No abstract is required for this.