A comparison of developmental assessments of the newborn and young infant

Neonatal neurobehavioral assessments describe a newborn's spontaneous behavioural repertoire and observable responses to environmental stimuli. Infant developmental assessments document the range of developmental skills that emerge and develop over the first years of life. This review highlights two neonatal assessments (Einstein Neonatal Neurobehavioral Assessment Scale, Neurobehavioral Assessment of the Preterm Infant) and two infant assessments (Alberta Infant Motor Scale, Test of Infant Motor Performance). A general description of these tests is followed by their content and psychometric properties. These standardized tests of neurologic integrity are useful in characterizing current developmental status and in monitoring change in performance over time.