the term high risk infant designates an infant who should be under close observation by experienced physicians and nurses and is born with biologic or environmental factors that carry an increased risk of developmental disability.
The aim of this study was early identification of high risk infants(18-24months) by using CHAT questionnaire as a screening tool.
Methods:from outpatient pediatric clinics in Benha and Mansoura, 500 infants(250 males and 250 females) aged 18-24 months who apparently normal were documented in a period of 9 months from march 2004 to november2004. Full medical and developmental history was taken, complete clinical and neurological examination and developmental screening using CHAT"check list for autism in toddlers" questionnaire were done.Infant who failed one or two of the key items(either pretend play, or protodeclarative pointing and pretend play would be at risk for developmental delay..
Results: as regards of CHAT questionnaire high risk infants were 10 cases(2%) of total studied cases, 6 cases of them(1.2%) are males and 4 cases (0.8%)are females. two males(33.3%) of the cases failed in one key item protodeclarative(PDP) three cases(50%) failed in pretend play(PP) and one(16.7%) failed in the two keys itemsPDP andPP,one female case failed in one key itemPDP, 2 cases(50%) failed in one key itemPP and last one(25%) failed in two key items PDP andPP
as regards to neurodevelopmental outcome of studied cases,motor,mental,speech,and hearing impairment were detected in 30%50%,70% and 30% of cases respectively.
conclusions: CHAT better to be used as a primary screening tooll for early detection of high risk infants at 18-24 months age as it is simple,highly specific and easy to use. |
