Developmental screening by the Cognitive Adaptive Test/Clinical Linguistic and Auditory Milestone Scale (CAT/CLAMS) in HIV-infected children

Abstract

Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID) is considered to be a standard test for child development. The test requires experienced evaluator and is time consuming; therefore, it is not easy to apply in busy clinic. The Cognitive Adaptive Test/Clinical Linguistic and Auditory Milestone Scale (CAT/CLAMS) is an easy assessment method that has been demonstrated to correlate with BSID in many studies among normal and developmental delayed children, including in HIV-infected infants. We created a pilot system of CAT/CLAMS assessment applied to 16 HIV-infected infants ages 12-34 months. They were all in the normal range score of developmental quotient (DQ). However, longitudinal follow-up by CAT/CLAMS assessment is needed in these HIV-infected children. When DQ score is below 70 (assuming to be delayed development), the child should be evaluated by BSID. In this way delayed development can be screened easily and early developmental stimulation program can be implemented appropriately.