Development Screening

Developmental screening is a procedure to identify child development related issues whereas Developmental monitoring is to observe the growth and changes over time in a developing child. Developmental monitoring can be carried by anybody but developmental screening is often carried out by a qualified professional.  According to American Academy of Pediatrics every child should be screened at 9 months, 18 months and 30 months age during regular visit to a child specialist.

All Neonates, Infants and children require developmental screening or developmental evaluation by a qualified and experienced developmental specialist when

• Parents / Relatives or family physician / child specialist express developmental concerns or suspect milestones delay
• Newborns who had history of low birth weight ( Less than 1500 grams), Intraventricular hemorrhage Grade III or IV, PVL (Periventricular Leukomalacia), HIE ( Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy), Meningitis, Hyperbilirubinemia (pathological jaundice), Persistent Seizures, APGAR Score less than 6 at 10 minutes , 15 minutes and 20 minutes.
• Babies born premature ( very early) or post term (post gestational age)
• Infant of diabetic mother
• Infant born with birth defects
• Birth injury
• Congenital disorders
• Meconium aspiration
• Infant having Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA)-a heart defect
• A sibling with autism
• Birth defects associated with central nervous system malformation and dysfunction
• Parental schizophrenia / psychosis / affective disorder
• Maternal use of sodium valproate in pregnancy
• Parent or sibling with Intellectual disability
• Neonatal encephalopathy or epileptic encephalopathy, including infantile spasms, etc

Lots of Developmental Screening Checklists are available and used in pediatric practice. Such as:-

• Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ)
• Parents Evaluation of Developmental Status ( PEDS)
• Child Development Inventory (CDI)
• Pediatric Symptoms Checklist ( PSC)
• Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (MCHAT)
• Bayley Infants Neuro-developmental Screeners (BINS)
• Denver Developmental Screening Test II
• Brigance Screen II, etc

Please note, if screening confirms developmental issues, start early intervention as soon as possible. Remember, “Early intervention can do miracles”,” Start early, get more”.   ”wait and watch policy doesn’t work always.  

If you suspect any developmental issues with your baby, please contact us
Voice Call at +91-11-41012124,                     WhatsApp at +91-7838809241, 
Mail to helpicd@gmail.com