Hammersmith newborn neurological exam in Turkish

Turkish Version of the Hammersmith Neonatal Neurological Examination (HNNE) With High-Risk of Infants: A Study of Validity and Reliability

Observational Kahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University · NCT07182513

This project tests whether the Turkish version of the Hammersmith Neonatal Neurological Examination can help detect neurological problems in high-risk newborns such as preterm or low-birthweight infants.

Quick facts

Study typeObservational
Enrollment120 (estimated)
Ages37 Weeks to 42 Weeks
SexAll
SponsorKahramanmaras Sutcu Imam University Academic / other
Locations1 site (Kahramanmaraş, Onikişubat)
Trial IDNCT07182513 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This observational project applies a Turkish-language version of the Hammersmith Neonatal Neurological Examination (HNNE) to infants considered at high risk for neuromotor problems. Clinicians at the site will perform the HNNE during routine neonatal follow-up and record scores alongside the infants' clinical histories and diagnostic information. The effort focuses on reliability and clinical usefulness of the translated tool by comparing exam findings with known diagnoses and follow-up outcomes. Results are intended to determine whether the Turkish HNNE provides consistent, clinically meaningful information for early detection and monitoring.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are newborns and infants considered high-risk for neuromotor problems, including preterm infants, low- or high-birthweight babies, infants with intracranial hemorrhage, hypoxic‑ischemic events, severe metabolic disturbances, infections, or other listed neonatal complications.

Not a fit: Healthy term infants without neonatal complications or children beyond the newborn/neonatal follow-up period are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this project.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the Turkish HNNE could enable earlier and more consistent detection of neuromotor problems in high-risk newborns, supporting timely follow-up and intervention.

How similar studies have performed: The HNNE is an established neonatal neurological exam and validations in other languages and settings have been successful, while the Turkish version itself is newly implemented in this program.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

1. Infants with periventricular hemorrhage, intracranial hemorrhage grades 2, 3, or 4, cystic periventricular leukomalacia (PVL), stage 3 hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, neonatal bilirubin encephalopathy (kernicterus), perinatal stroke, perinatal asphyxia, and hydrocephalus.
2. Infants with chronic lung disease, respiratory lung disease (RDS), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), and long-term oxygen supplementation.
3. Preterm infants with sepsis due to gram-negative bacteria, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), and infantile apnea.
4. Preterm infants with a low 5-minute Apgar score (3 or below), diagnosed with intrauterine growth restriction, multiple births (twins, triplets), and preterm infants with Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP).
5. Infants with prolonged severe hypoglycemia and hypocalcemia.
6. Babies who are small for gestational age (SGA), less than the 3rd percentile, or large for gestational age (LGA), greater than the 97th percentile.
7. Babies receiving mechanical ventilation for more than 24 hours.
8. Babies born at less than 32 weeks' gestation and weighing less than 1500 grams.

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Babies with congenital malformations (spina bifida, congenital muscular torticollis, arthrogryposis multiplex congenita, etc.)
2. Babies diagnosed with metabolic and genetic diseases (Down syndrome, spinal muscular atrophy, Duchenne muscular dystrophy, etc.)
3. Babies still intubated and mechanically ventilated at 3 months postterm

Where this trial is running

Kahramanmaraş, Onikişubat

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Cerebral PalsyInfant ALLNeurological DevelopmentNeonatal
Last reviewed 2026-06-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.