All previous information has been reviewed and is up to date. There continues to be limited research on the psychometric characteristics of this outcome measure, including validity, reliability, and standardized norms.
Summary of article utilizing the NBAS:
Canals, J. et al. Neonatal behavioral assessment scale as a predictor of cognitive development and IQ in full-term infants: a 6-year longitudinal study. Acta Paediatrica. 2011; 100(10): 1331-1337.
The purpose of this study was to determine whether neonatal behavior could predict mental and psychomotor development of infants at 4 and 12 months as well as intelligence at 6 years. The study population included 80 full term newborns (39 boys and 41 girls) and were followed from 3 days to 6 years of age. The mean weight at birth was 3277.7 grams and mean gestational age was 39.7 weeks. The NBAS is used to assess the behavior of newborns and included areas such as habituation, range of state, motor performance, ANS stability, attention, irritability, and tone, among others. The NBAS was utilized at 3 days after birth by a trained examiner in a room with appropriate conditions. The assessment took 25-35 min and was completed midway between feedings. The Bayley Scales for Infant Development (BSID) was administered at 4 and 12 months and Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence was administered at 6 years of age. The Child Behavior Checklist was administered at 6 years to look at emotional and behavioral problems.
The results of this study showed that the mean scores of all of the outcome measures used were in the normal range. Some of the characteristics measured in the NBAS could predict future development. For short term, better state regulation assessed in the NBAS and longer gestation predicted psychomotor development at 4 months. This was predicted at 12 months by clusters such as ranges of state, ANS stability, muscle tone, and regulation capability. Better self-regulation at birth was a good indicator of mental and psychomotor development at 4 and 12 months and better IQ at 6 years. Limitations of this study include small sample size as well as the inclusion of only healthy infants. In order to generalize to a greater population, it would be beneficial to perform more studies using infants that may have certain health issues at birth. Major strengths of this study include the predictive ability of the NBAS for future development and IQ, as well as the use of a variety of outcome measures. The overall conclusion of this study showed that the NBAS is an appropriate tool use for both healthy infants, as well as those at risk for developing problems.