# The Feasibility of the Arabic Version of Ages and Stages Questionnaire 3 to Identify Preterm Infants at Risk of Developmental Delays in Saudi Arabia

## TL;DR

This study evaluates the feasibility of using an Arabic version of a developmental screening tool to identify preterm infants at risk of developmental delays in Saudi Arabia.

## Contribution

The study introduces and validates the Arabic version of the Ages and Stages Questionnaire 3 for early detection of developmental delays in preterm infants.

## Key findings

- 77.1% of 48 preterm infants showed developmental delays in at least one domain at 4 months corrected age.
- No assessed risk factors were associated with a high risk of developmental delays among preterm infants.
- The A-ASQ-3 proved feasible for identifying infants at risk of developmental delays in Saudi Arabia.

## Abstract

Objectives: Preterm infants are at higher risk for developmental delays (DDs) and long-term complications compared with term infants. With the high prevalence of preterm births in Arabic-speaking countries, an Arabic-language screening tool is crucial. The aim of the study is to examine the feasibility of utilizing an Arabic version of the Ages and Stages Questionnaire, Third Edition (A-ASQ-3), at 4 months corrected age (CA). Methods: Infants born at or after 28 weeks of gestational age were recruited in this longitudinal study. A total of 48 infants underwent the developmental assessment at 4 months CA using the A-ASQ-3. The primary outcome was identifying the infants at risk for DDs. Descriptive statistics, t-tests, and Firth’s logistic regression were used for analysis. Results: Of the 48 infants, 37 (77.1%) had a DD at in least one of the five A-ASQ-3 domains at 4-months CA. None of the risk factors assessed in this study were associated with a high risk of DDs among preterm infants. Conclusions: The A-ASQ-3 is a feasible tool for identifying infants at risk for DDs at 4 months CA. This finding underscores the need for early screening and tailored intervention programs for preterm infants in Saudi Arabia. The A-ASQ-3 can help identify infants at high risk of DDs and enable prompt referral to healthcare providers.