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PubMed · 10584630

Interobserver variability of the neurological optimality score.

W M Monincx·H Smolders-de Haas·G J Bonsel·H A Zondervan
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Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess the interobserver reliability of the neurological optimality score. STUDY DESIGN: The neurological optimality score of 21 full term healthy, neurologically normal newborn infants was determined by two well trained observers. RESULTS: The interclass correlation coefficient was 0.31. Kappa for optimality (score of 58 or higher) was 0.19. A systematic difference of 1.3 points between the two observers was present. CONCLUSIONS: The interobserver variability of the neurological optimality score of the newborn infant is substantial. The subtle judgement of elicited responses as optimal or non-optimal proved to be especially critical in this concordance study. A difference of at least two points in the score is considered as a valid endpoint for comparative studies. If two or more observers are involved in the neurological examination of the newborn infant in a study to assess influences on perinatal morbidity, frequent re-instruction sessions are recommended.

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Birth WeightCephalometryGestational AgeHumansInfant, NewbornNeurologic ExaminationObserver VariationPostureReflexSucking BehaviorTremorComparative StudyJournal Article

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W M Monincx, H Smolders-de Haas, G J Bonsel, H A Zondervan. 1999. Interobserver variability of the neurological optimality score.. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0301-2115(99)00017-2

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