Validation of a parent questionnaire on cognitive development in preterm born infants at the (corrected) age of two years

Background: Enhancements of early diagnostic procedures are of crucial importance facing the growing number of infants at cognitive developmental risk (e.g. preterm born children). Up from the age of two developmental tests have increasing predictive value with regard to cognitive development, but they are time consuming and sometimes not feasible due to lack of cooperation of the infant. Parent reports are thus important to complement the assessment.

Methods: For there are no german questionnaires with focus on early cognitive development, an English questionnaire (PARCA-R, Saudino et al. 1998, Johnson et al., 2004) was adapted and completed with an established german language questionnaire (SBE-2-KT, von Suchodoletz & Sachse, 2008). This new combination was given to parents of preterm born infants at the corrected age of 24 months. Construct validity was computed by correlations with a developmental test (Bayley-II, Cognitive scale) that was administered at the same time. Parent reports of infants with MDI <70 (–2 SD) and MDI <78 (–1.5 SD) were compared to those with MDI ≥70 and ≥78.

Results: Parent reports and developmental tests of 108 preterm born infants were available (Mean birth weight 1918g, Min-Max 590–3800; Mean MDI 100, SD 12, Min-Max 49–118). Significant correlations were found between parent questionnaire total scores and MDI (Spearman Rho=0.2* to 0.6***), but were mainly caused by the strong influence of the language scale. Parents of preterms with MDI <70 (<78) scored significantly lower in the questionnaire than those of infants with MDI ≥70 (≥78).

Discussion: The results underscore the relevance and validity of parent reports with focus on cognitive development in infancy. Language development seems to be a crucial aspect of cognition at the age of 24 months. A parent questionnaire on early cognitive development can be helpful for the identification of infants at developmental risk.