LAUSR

OBJECTIVE This study aimed to follow the developmental functioning of infants, 3 to 5 months of age, with cystic fibrosis (CF), according to recent published results based on Prechtl General Movement Assessment (GMA). METHODS Motor repertoire was evaluated using Prechtl GMA, and developmental function was assessed using Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development-Third Edition (Bayley-III) in infants with CF and their peers who were neurotypical. RESULTS Twelve infants with CF clinically stable and 12 infants who were neurotypical, with respective median postterm ages of 14 and 13 weeks, were assessed using GMA. At 24 to 36 months, the Bayley-III was applied to the CF group (median postterm age = 27.5 months) and the control group (median post-term age = 27.0 months). Fidgety movements (FMs) were absent in 5 infants with CF, whereas all infants who were neurotypical had normal FMs. The Motor Optimality Score (MOS) was significantly lower in the CF group (median = 18.5) compared with the control group (median = 26). The CF group had significantly lower composite scores in the Bayley-III cognition, language, and motor domains compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS Cognitive, language, and motor development was delayed in infants with CF. Developmental functioning of infants with CF should be assessed as early as possible and monitored, and age-specific early intervention programs should be considered when necessary. IMPACT Children with CF may have motor, cognitive, and language developmental delays compared with peers who are neurotypical during early childhood, and hospitalization was negatively correlated with motor development at 24 to 36 months of age. This study highlights the importance of early assessment of developmental functioning and age-specific, early intervention programs when necessary in infants with CF.