Bayley-III Cognitive and Language Scales in Preterm Children.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

This study aimed to assess the sensitivity and specificity of the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition (Bayley-III), Cognitive and Language scales at 24 months for predicting cognitive impairments in preterm children at 4 years.

METHODS:

Children born <30 weeks' gestation completed the Bayley-III at 24 months and the Differential Ability Scale, Second Edition (DAS-II), at 4 years to assess cognitive functioning. Test norms and local term-born reference data were used to classify delay on the Bayley-III Cognitive and Language scales. Impairment on the DAS-II Global Conceptual Ability, Verbal, and Nonverbal Reasoning indices was classified relative to test norms. Scores < -1 SD relative to the mean were classified as mild/moderate delay or impairment, and scores < -2 SDs were classified as moderate delay or impairment.

RESULTS:

A total of 105 children completed the Bayley-III and DAS-II. The sensitivity of mild/moderate cognitive delay on the Bayley-III for predicting impairment on DAS-II indices ranged from 29.4% to 38.5% and specificity ranged from 92.3% to 95.5%. The sensitivity of mild/moderate language delay on the Bayley-III for predicting impairment on DAS-II indices ranged from 40% to 46.7% and specificity ranged from 81.1% to 85.7%. The use of local reference data at 24 months to classify delay increased sensitivity but reduced specificity. Receiver operating curve analysis identified optimum cut-point scores for the Bayley-III that were more consistent with using local reference data than Bayley-III normative data.

CONCLUSIONS:

In our cohort of very preterm children, delay on the Bayley-III Cognitive and Language scales was not strongly predictive of future impairments. More children destined for later cognitive impairment were identified by using cut-points based on local reference data than Bayley-III norms.

• Authors: Megan M Spencer-Smith, Alicia J Spittle, Katherine J Lee, Lex W Doyle, Peter J Anderson
• Journal: Pediatrics (Pediatrics) Vol. 135 Issue 5 Pg. e1258-65 (May 2015) ISSN: 1098-4275 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 25896835 (Publication Type: Evaluation Study, Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2015 by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Topics

• Child, Preschool
• Cognition
• Cognition Disorders (diagnosis)
• Female
• Humans
• Infant, Newborn
• Infant, Premature
• Infant, Premature, Diseases (diagnosis)
• Language Development
• Language Development Disorders (diagnosis)
• Male
• Neuropsychological Tests
• Predictive Value of Tests
• Sensitivity and Specificity