Use of the Bayley infant neurodevelopmental screener with low birth weight infants

Objective: To examine the utility of the Bayley Infant Neurodevelopmental Screener (BINS) as a screening technique for premature, low birth weight infants. Methods: One hundred thirty-three preterm infants <1,500 grams received a BINS assessment at mean adjusted age 6.8 months and a Bayley Scales of Infant Development, Second Edition (BSID-II) assessment at mean adjusted age 12.9 months. Infants' BINS scores were compared to their BSID-II Mental Development Index (MDI) and Psychomotor Development Index (PDI) scores. Results: The BINS score showed significant association with the MDI (r = .40, p = <.001) and with the PDI (r = .35, p = <.001). The BINS showed moderate predictive validity (67%-76%) for identifying lower functioning infants. Conclusions: The BINS is a satisfactory screening tool for low birth weight infants when used in conjunction with other known biologic and social risk factors.