Validation of Rapid Neurodevelopmental Assessment Instrument for Under-Two-Year-Old Children in Bangladesh

Abstract

The RNDA can be used by professionals from a range of backgrounds with high reliability and validity for determining functional status of children who are younger than 2 years. The study findings have important practical implications for early identification and intervention to mitigate neurodevelopmental impairments in large populations that live in developing countries where professional expertise is sparse.

Neurodevelopmental Evaluation in Full-term Newborns with Neonatal Hypoxic Ischemic Encephalopathy (HIE): A Case Control Study

“…10,11 The test instrument is simple, less time consuming and can be used by trained professionals at the health centers. The RNDA manual for 0-2 years and >2-5 years includes several age specific testing methods and questionnaire organized in twelve forms for specific age groups.…”

Neurodevelopmental Assessment in Preterm Neonates at Early Ages: Screening of at-risk Infants for Long Term Sequlae

“…13 A detailed neurologic examination of infants is a valuable predictive tool in terms of later moderate to severe neurodevelopmental impairments. 12 Rapid neurodevelopmental assessment (RNDA) 14 , a reliable and valid neurodevelopmental assessment tool is being used with children <2 years which is particularly useful for early identification of children at high risk for neurodevelopmental impairments. The rapid neurodevelopmental assessment was developed for use in children aged 0 to 24 months in which the following domains are being assessed: primitive reflexes (0to<1 month), gross motor, fine motor, vision, hearing, speech, cognition, behavior and seizures.…”

Child disability services in Bangladesh

“…6 Furthermore, they have developed rapid neurodevelopmental assessment procedures which can be delivered by trained and experienced college graduates across childhood. 7,8 This then allows not only early detection of developmental problems but also accurate referral to the expert teams. The philosophy of combining assessment with appropriate developmental and health advice enables local health workers to intervene and distinguish the effects of lack of stimulation, malnutrition, and low grade infection from the neurodevelopmental impairments which require additional expertise.…”