Lacey Assessment of Preterm Infants

Assessment of motor development of the preterm infant in a neonatal unit environment. Used for identification, prediction and monitoring. Preterm infants up to 44 weeks post menstrual age

Objective

Cerebral Palsy | Neurodisability (Other)

Infants (0-2 years)

Activity & Participation

Gross Motor

Description
Observation and analysis of spontaneous movements and resting postures with minimal handling
Reliability / validity
Moderate sensitivity 47% to 86%, high specificity 83% to 89%
https://www.amhsjournal.org/article.asp?issn=2321-4848;year=2021;volume=9;issue=2;spage=229;epage=235;aulast=Naushad

Strengths / weaknesses

Strengths: Minimal handling and quick to perform, designed for preterms, longitudinal. Generally well tolerated by the infant. No specific equipment needed.
Weaknesses: Only for preterm infants, not term. Lower sensitivity, formal training course required, not widely used by neonatal professionals (mainly physiotherapists). Less used globally. Limited evidence base.

3 x day course - (£400 - £500)

N/A

Completion of 3 day course – moderate cost (£400-£500) Courses run by APCP

Cost
Completion of 3 day course – moderate cost (£400-£500)
Courses run by APCP
References/ Links
Lacey JL, Henderson-Smart DJ. Assessment of preterm infants in the intensive-care unit to predict cerebral palsy and motor outcome at 6 years. Dev Med Child Neurol 1998;40(5):310-318.

Lacey J, Rudge S, Rieger I et al. Assessment of neurological status in preterm infants in neonatal intensive care and prediction of cerebral palsy. Aust J Physiother 2004;50(3):137-144.

Lukens AM, Winfield NR, Xanthidis CA et al. Predictive validity of the Lacey Assessment of Preterm Infants for motor outcome at 2 years corrected age. Early Hum Dev 2021;155:105334.
Time to complete
10mins
Comments
No information about other languages

If you spot any errors or wish to suggest any amendments to this summary, please contact paediatricmeasures@apcp.org.uk