A Danish reference chart for assessment of psychomotor development based on the Ages & Stages Questionnaire.

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this study was to obtain Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) scores from the background population so that these may be used as a reference group to extremely preterm children at nine and 18 months of corrected age.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 298 children were randomly chosen among the Danish population in three different groups: 9-, 18- and 21 month-old children. The parents received the 10-month ASQ when their child had reached a corrected age of nine months and the 24-month ASQ questionnaire when their child had reached the corrected age of 18 or 21 months.

RESULTS

The total scores were normally distributed in both groups. There was a highly significant (p < 0.001) linear regression between ASQ total score and adjusted age for both the 10- and the 24-month ASQ.

CONCLUSION

The results of the study show that the overall development can be assessed when the child is scored with an ASQ intended for older children. Screening for developmental delay in children in the age range of 8-10 months or 18-22 can be quickly assessed by reference to a chart. The chart can also be used as a reference when monitoring the quality in neonatal services by the developmental outcome and this ensures that children are classified according to Danish standards.