The Malawi Developmental Assessment Tool (MDAT): The Creation, Validation, and Reliability of a Tool to Assess Child Development in Rural African Settings

Gladstone, Melissa; Lancaster, Gillian; Umar, Eric; Nyirenda, Maggie; Kayira, Edith; Broek, Nynke van den; Smyth, Rosalind L

doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1000273

Cited by 246 publications

(294 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…Six of the motor milestones were based on the WHO Multicentre Growth Reference Study (18). The 5 additional milestones were selected from the Malawi Developmental Assessment Tool, comprising milestones that were valid in the local context and generally achieved between the ages of 6 and 18 mo (19). When the child was 6, 12, and 18 mo of age, participants visited their local hospital or clinic, where project staff observed whether the child had acquired the same 7 motor milestones.…”

Section: Developmental Assessment Measuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of maternal and child lipid-based nutrient supplements on infant development: a randomized trial in Malawi

Prado

Maleta

Ashorn

et al. 2016

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

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Background: Maternal and infant undernutrition is associated with poor infant development; however, few studies have examined the impact of combined pre-and postnatal dietary supplementation on infant development. Objective: Our objective was to determine whether provision of small-quantity lipid-based nutrient supplements (SQ-LNSs) to mothers during pregnancy and the first 6 mo postpartum, and to children aged 6-18 mo, improves infant development in Malawi. Design: We randomly assigned 869 pregnant women to receive one of the following daily: an iron and folic acid (IFA) capsule, a multiple micronutrient (MMN) capsule containing 18 micronutrients, or a 20-g sachet of SQ-LNSs containing 22 vitamins and minerals, protein, carbohydrates, essential fatty acids, and 118 kcal. Children in the lipid-based nutrient supplement (LNS) group only received SQ-LNSs from 6 to 18 mo of age. We monitored the acquisition of 11 developmental milestones monthly by maternal report; observed the attainment of 7 motor milestones at 6, 12, and 18 mo of age; and conducted a comprehensive assessment of motor, language, and socioemotional development and executive function at 18 mo of age. The primary analysis was by intention-to-treat. Results: By maternal report, children in the LNS group achieved walking alone (B = 0.53; 95% CI: 0.11, 0.94; P = 0.034) and waving goodbye (B = 0.60; 95% CI: 0.12, 1.08; P = 0.040) earlier than the IFA group and standing with assistance earlier than the MMN group (B = 0.51; 95% CI: 0.12, 0.89; P = 0.029). By researcher observation, there was a trend (P = 0.052) for a greater percentage of children in the LNS group (58%) to walk alone at age 12 mo than in the IFA (49%) and MMN (49%) groups. At age 18 mo, there were no significant differences between groups in any scores. Conclusion: Although provision of SQ-LNSs to pregnant women and infants in Malawi may affect the age of acquisition of certain developmental milestones, it did not affect our assessments of motor, language, socioemotional, or executive function skills at 18 mo of age. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT01239693.Am J Clin Nutr 2016;103:784-93.

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Section: Developmental Assessment Measuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of maternal and child lipid-based nutrient supplements on infant development: a randomized trial in Malawi

Prado

Maleta

Ashorn

et al. 2016

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition

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“…Malawi Developmental Assessment Tool (MDAT) (Gladstone et al, 2010) a test created and validated specifically for use in rural Malawi with Chichewa-speaking children 0-7 years of age.…”

Section: Child Measuresmentioning

confidence: 99%

Combining Preschool Teacher Training with Parenting Education: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial

Özler¹,

Fernald²,

Kariger³

et al. 2016

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“…Often tools are not adequately adapted or validated for a local population 50–53. A small number of developmental tools have been created or adapted specifically for developing country settings,54 55 some with good measures of validity and reliability.…”

Section: Approaches To the Identification Of Cwdmentioning

confidence: 99%

Moving beyond prevalence studies: screening and interventions for children with disabilities in low-income and middle-income countries

Yousafzai

Lynch

Gladstone

2014

Archives of Disease in Childhood

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Research understanding the lives of children with disabilities in low-income and middle-income countries has predominantly focused on prevalence studies with little progress on evidence-based service development. At the same time, global attention in child health has shifted from child survival strategies to those that bring child survival and development together. This review examines whether intervention research can be better aligned with current theoretical constructs of disability and international guidelines that advocate for the realisation of rights for children with disabilities and inclusive early childhood development.

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The Malawi Developmental Assessment Tool (MDAT): The Creation, Validation, and Reliability of a Tool to Assess Child Development in Rural African Settings

Abstract: Melissa Gladstone and colleagues evaluate the reliability and validity of an assessment tool for evaluating child development in rural African settings.

Cited by 246 publications

References 26 publications

Effects of maternal and child lipid-based nutrient supplements on infant development: a randomized trial in Malawi

Effects of maternal and child lipid-based nutrient supplements on infant development: a randomized trial in Malawi

Combining Preschool Teacher Training with Parenting Education: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial

Moving beyond prevalence studies: screening and interventions for children with disabilities in low-income and middle-income countries

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