A new tool to screen newborns for motor delays
Official title: Evaluating the feasibility of an innovative point-of-care screening tool for detection of infant motor delay within the newborn period
Funded at Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp · NIH-10742419 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new tool that helps doctors quickly check for movement delays in newborns, making it easier to spot conditions like cerebral palsy early on so that babies can get the support they need right away, no matter where they are born.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, United States) |
| Project start | August 22, 2023 |
| Project end | August 21, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $429,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R21HD110784-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10742419 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include newborns, particularly those with known perinatal risk factors or from underserved communities.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are older than the newborn period or those without any risk factors for neurodevelopmental delays may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates a novel point-of-care screening tool designed to detect motor delays in infants during the newborn period. By identifying potential neurodevelopmental conditions like cerebral palsy early, the tool aims to facilitate timely interventions that can significantly improve long-term outcomes. The approach focuses on using advanced technology to assess movement patterns in infants, which can be done in various healthcare settings rather than only specialized centers. This could help ensure that all infants, regardless of their background, receive the necessary evaluations and support.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier detection and intervention for infants at risk of neurodevelopmental disorders, improving their developmental outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using innovative screening tools for early detection of developmental issues, indicating that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp
Columbus, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Alfano, Lindsay N — Research Inst Nationwide Children's Hosp
- Study coordinator: Alfano, Lindsay N
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Adaptive e-learning and smartphones to improve newborn and child care in Tanzania
A new program uses smart devices and tailored online learning to help frontline health workers in Mwanza, Tanzania provide better care for newborns and young children.
-
NoviGuide for Newborn Care in Pakistan
A small NIH grant to test a pocket-sized decision support tool for nurses and doctors to improve newborn care in Pakistan.
-
Newborn screening: using gene and metabolite data to refine true vs false positives
A study using genetic and metabolomic data from newborn blood spots to better distinguish real metabolic disorders from false alarms.
-
Evidence-based practices for managing neonatal hypothermia in newborn nurseries
A doctor-led project will study how common newborn hypothermia affects babies in US nurseries and develop trusted guidelines to improve care.
-
Agricultural livelihoods to improve health for pregnant women with HIV in Kenya
A pregnancy-starting program in Kenya tests whether helping families grow food and earn income can improve the health and nutrition of mothers and their babies, especially for women living with HIV.
-
Agricultural livelihood support for pregnant women and newborns in Kenya
Compares agricultural livelihood support to usual care to help pregnant women in Kenya—including those living with HIV—have better nutrition and healthier newborns.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.