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Observational Study
. 2021 Oct 1;33(4):200-206.
doi: 10.1097/PEP.0000000000000822.

Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination Clinical Use to Recommend Therapist Assessment of Functional Hand Asymmetries

Lindsay Pietruszewski  1 , Mary Ann Nelin, Nancy Batterson, Julia Less, Melissa Moore-Clingenpeel, Dennis Lewandowski, Katelyn Levengood, Nathalie L Maitre
Affiliations
Observational Study

Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination Clinical Use to Recommend Therapist Assessment of Functional Hand Asymmetries

Lindsay Pietruszewski et al. Pediatr Phys Ther. .

Abstract

Purpose: To determine whether asymmetry scores derived from the Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination (HINE) can provide cutoff scores for recommending in-depth assessment of upper extremity functional deficits by therapists using the Hand Assessment for Infants (HAI).

Methods: Observational study in a clinical laboratory with the HINE and the HAI administered concurrently to 101 infants 3 to 12 months corrected age developing typically or atypically. Predictive value of HINE asymmetry scores for atypical HAI was determined.

Results: Total HINE asymmetry scores of 4 or greater had 100% sensitivity and 88% or greater specificity for identifying infants with an asymmetric HAI score of 3 or greater point difference between hands.

Conclusions: For infants receiving a total HINE asymmetry score of 4 or greater, referral to therapists for HAI assessment may be beneficial to precisely evaluate function and determine the need for targeted upper extremity interventions.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
HINE item clusters
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
ROC curves for HINE asymmetry score performance, using HAI difference between hands ≥3 points
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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