Feasibility and reliability to assess the motor development of infants exposed to gestational COVID-19 using the Alberta Infant Motor Scale remotely

Abstract

The virus infection severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) during pregnancy is a risk factor for developmental problems. Our objectives were to explore feasibility measures and verify the reliability of synchronously employing the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) remotely in infants with prenatal exposure to SARS-CoV-2. Additionally, we explored the motor performance of these infants relative to an unexposed normative sample. An exploratory cross-sectional study was carried out and included 20 infants (10.65±4.99 months) whose mothers tested positive for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) during pregnancy. Infants were assessed with the AIMS remotely and synchronously via video call by a physical therapist. The calls were recorded. Three independent observers scored the recordings. Parents and assessors answered questions regarding barriers to and facilities for the assessments. A higher proportion of parents (90%) found it easy to understand and replicate the commands provided by the therapist during the assessment (P<0.001). The assessors reported not encountering difficulty in most assessments. Interobserver reliability was good in the standing posture [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.734–0.942, P<0.001] and excellent (95% CI: 0.970–0.996, P<0.001) in prone, supine, and sitting. Intra-rater reliability was excellent (95% CI’s: 0.876–1.000, P’s<0.001) in all postures. There were no differences between the motor performance of exposed infants compared to the unexposed normative sample. It was feasible to assess the motor performance of infants exposed to SARS-CoV-2 via video call with good to excellent inter- and intra-rater reliabilities, making it an important approach when social distancing is needed.