Turkish Validity and Reliability of the Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination (HINE) with High-Risk Infant Group: A Preliminary Study

Objective: The purpose of this study was to establish the reliability of the Turkish translation of the Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination in infants at 8-12 months corrected age and compare Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination scores to other predictive assessments. Materials and Methods: Perinatal risk factors, term-age magnetic resonance imaging, general movements at 3-month corrected age, and 12-month corrected age The Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition (BSID-III) scores were obtained in 35 high-risk infants. The Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination was evaluated using intra-rater and inter-rater reliability. Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination scores were compared to the findings from the three other assessments. Results: Intra-rater and inter-rater reliability was high (intraclass correlation coefficient = 1.00; intraclass correlation coefficient = 0.969, P < .001, 95% CI = 0.939-0.984, respectively). Global Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination scores were significantly lower in infants with magnetic resonance imaging evidence of brain injury than without (P < .05) and in infants without general movements Fidgety movements (P < .05), than with. There was a significant positive correlation between global Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination scores and Bayley Scales-III cognitive (P < .001), language (P < .001), and motor composite scores (P < .001). Conclusion: This study strongly supports the use of the Turkish translation of the Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination. Users found it readily understandable and easy to use, and the scores were consistent with 3 different methods of predicting neurodevelopmental outcomes. These findings will aid the early diagnosis, management, and support for children with neurodevelopmental problems.