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Neuropediatrics 1981; 12(3): 242-253
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1059655
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

STUDIES ON THE BRAZELTON NEONATAL BEHAVIOURAL ASSESSMENT SCALE

I.  Leijon , O.  Finnström
  • Dept. of Paediatrics, University Hospital, S-581 85 Linköping, Sweden
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Publication History

Publication Date:
19 March 2008 (online)

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Abstract

The Brazelton neonatal behavioural assessment scale was applied in 120 healthy full-term newborn infants. Interobserver reliability on day 5 (n = 20), test-retest reliability on day 4-5 (n = 20), and correlations between examinations on day 1 and day 5 (n = 80) were studied with regard to individual and grouped items (subscales) in the test. The over-all interobserver reliability generally seemed to be satisfactory, but low estimates of test-retest reliability were obtained for many items. Items assessing orientation capacity and regulation of state showed better test-retest stability when the predominate states were identical on both occasions. Some subscales were significantly related to parity, sex, birthweight, and age in hours at examination.

Key words

Brazelton scale - behavioural assessment - newborn infant