Predictive Validity of the Bayley-III Cognitive Scores at 6 Months for Cognitive Outcomes at 24 Months in Very-Low-Birth-Weight Infants

Abstract

Purpose: To assess the predictive validity of the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition (Bayley-III) cognitive scores at 6 months of corrected age (CA) for cognitive outcomes at 24 months of CA in very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants and investigate the predictors of change in cognitive outcomes. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated VLBW children enrolled in the Taiwan Premature Infant Follow-up Network between 2010 and 2015 and completed the Bayley-III at CA of 6 and 24 months. The predictive validity of the cognitive performance at 6-month CA for the cognitive outcomes at 24-month CA was analyzed. The positive and negative predictive factors were also evaluated using logistic regression. Cut-off scores of Results: A total of 2,972 VLBW children, born with a mean weight of 1116.4 ± 257.5 g and mean gestational age of 29.0 ± 2.8 weeks, were evaluated. A cognitive score of Conclusion: Subnormal Bayley-III cognitive scores at 6-month CA were not predictive of subnormal cognitive function at 24-month CA. In children with normal cognition during early infancy, abnormal muscle tone and lower maternal socioeconomic status may influence the cognitive developing process; this highlighted the importance of early identification of high risk infants and complete preterm infant-associated public health policies to promote an improved neurodevelopmental outcome.