Modifying the Parent Evaluation of Developmental Status to Target 4-month-old Infants Who Would Benefit From the Meade Movement Checklist During Community Screening

To evaluate infant development using a modified Parent Evaluation of Development Status (PEDS) of 6 questions and the Meade Movement Checklist (MMCL). Parents of 4 to 6 month old infants attended community screening clinics, listed concerns on 6 questions (modified PEDS) and were then screened using the MMCL (n = 55). Individual PEDS questions were evaluated and MMCL results were compared to a gold standard, the Bayley Scales of Infant Development II. Significant correlation was found between infant risk-positive status, eligibility for special educational or medical services and parent concerns (RR = 1.7; P = .003). A second screen using the MMCL demonstrated 66.6% sensitivity, 94.1% specificity, 85.7% positive predictive value and 84.2% negative predictive value. Four of 6 questions on a “Modified” parent concerns test accurately targeted infants for a second screen (MMCL). Evaluating parent concerns and risk-positive status, increased PPV from 70% to 85.7% at the expense of decreased sensitivity. An algorithm is recommended to increase infant screening effectiveness.