Screening, evaluation, and management of a child with developmental delay

Effect of Neuro-Development Treatment on motor development in preterm infants

[Purpose] To investigate the effects of Neuro-Development Treatment on development in the preterm infants. [Subjects and Methods] A total of 96 premature infants were recruited for this study; 62 low birth weight preterm infants (<2.5 kg, high risk infants for developmental delay) and 34 premature infants (>2.5 kg, low risk infants for developmental delay). High risk infants were divided into intervention group (32 infants) and control group (30 infants) at time of admission. Low risk infants were into comparative group (34 infants). All infants received general nursing care in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. Additionally, Intervention group received Neuro-Development Treatment for 15 minutes 4 times per week up to 40 week postconceptional age. We evaluated Test of Infant Movement Performance at baseline, 2 weeks after and 40 week postconceptional age. [Results] In score on Test of Infant Movement Performance there was more increase in intervention group than in control group and comparative group. [Conclusion] According to findings in this study, we find that Neuro-Development Treatment in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit has an effect on development in the preterm infants.

Early Intervention in Children (0–6 Years) with a Rare Developmental Disability: The Occupational Therapy Role

Objective/Background

This study aims to explore the occupational therapists’ role in early intervention for children diagnosed with a rare developmental disability.

Methods

A survey was distributed by mail or online, to eligible occupational therapists currently used by the Disability and Community Care Services throughout Queensland, Australia. Eligible occupational therapists were those working with children aged 0–6 years. Two in-depth phone interviews were also undertaken.

Results

Eleven participants who had previously worked with at least one child with a rare developmental disability returned the survey. One participant nominated for a follow-up interview and a second interview with a speech and language pathologist was conducted to gain a multidisciplinary perspective. The most common areas requiring intervention were play support (85.3%), activities of daily living, communication, gross motor, and fine motor skills (79.4%).

Conclusion

Family-centred practice, play therapy, and individually tailored programmes are identified as key practice areas for this population. The important role occupational therapists play in early intervention teams is highlighted; however, further research is needed to develop the evidence base for best practice with particular rare developmental conditions.

Risk factors affecting Tests of Infant Motor Performance (TIMP) in pre-term infants at post-conceptional age of 40 weeks

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to correlate clinical factors with the Test of Infant Motor Performance (TIMP) in pre-term infants at a post-conceptional age of 40 weeks.

METHODS

The study enrolled 80 pre-term infants admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). Data on birth weight, multiple birth, sex, delivery type, Apgar scores at 1 minute and 5 minutes, neonatal seizures and Intraventricular Haemorrhage (IVH) as assessed by echoencephalography were retrospectively analysed through a review of relevant medical records.

RESULTS

IVH was the clinical factor most strongly correlated with the TIMP scores. Other clinical factors which significantly affected the TIMP scores were caesarean section, neonatal seizures, low birth weight and multiple births.

CONCLUSIONS

When pre-term infants exhibit risk factors of developmental delay, it is suggestd that TIMP is performed early in life among pre-term infants and the results can be used to select infants for early interventions.