Assessment of the development of at-risk infants with the "AIMS" and "ASQ-2"

Preterm babies are at higher risk for cognitive, sensory and motor development retardation that may affect their learning and movement abilities according to terms. It has been observed that by recognizing developmental retardation in the early period and including babies in the early intervention program, future physical problems, loss of skills, academic and psychosocial problems are reduced. In our study, it was aimed to determine the level of developmental retardation by evaluating risky preterm babies with "AIMS" and "ASQ-2" batteries, and to reveal the correlation and harmony between AIMS and ASQ-2 batteries. Thirty preterm infants with a corrected age of 12-18 months were included in the study. The mean weeks of gestation of the cases are 33.72±1.94, the average birth weight is 1962.57±573.56 gr. As a result of our study, it was seen that there was a significant relationship between the AIMS total score and all sub-domains of ASQ-2 (p<0.05). It was found that "high level" correlation between the AIMS prone sitting and the AIMS gross motor; there was a "very high level" correlation between the AIMS standing, total score, and the ASQ-2 gross motor sub-domain. A "significant" correlation was observed between the ASQ communication sub-domain and the AIMS total score (p<0.05). A "high level" of correlation was found between the AIMS standing and the ASQ-2 communication sub-domain. It was concluded that the motor performance of preterm babies is related to their communicative development. A significant correlation was found between birth weight and AIMS standing sub-domain and total score and ASQ-2 communication sub-domains (p<0.05). It is often difficult for parents to notice growth retardation in babies at an early stage. It is important to evaluate the development of at-risk infants in the early period and to support babies who show "atypical" development and who are found to be "at-risk" in terms of development with an early intervention program to ensure optimal treatment and to minimize the problems that may arise in the future.