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Publisher: Peytchinski Publishing Ltd.
ISSN: 1312-773X (Online)
Issue: 2026, vol. 32, issue4
Subject Area: Medicine
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DOI: 10.5272/jimab.2026324.7179
Published online: 04 November 2026
Original article
J of IMAB. 2026 Oct-Dec;32(4):7179-7185
NEURODEVELOPMENTAL PROFILE OF 6-MONTH-OLD INFANTS
Tatyana Itova1,2
,
1) Department of Health Care, Faculty of Public Health and Health Care, University of Ruse “Angel Kanchev”, Ruse, Bulgaria.
2) Department of Neonatology, UMHAT “Medica Ruse” - Ruse, Bulgaria.
ABSTRACT:
Purpose: The first months of life are a critical period for brain development. This study assessed neurodevelopment in 6-month-old infants using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire, Third Edition (ASQ-3), and examined variability across developmental domains.
Material/Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted in Bulgaria between August and December 2025. A total of 146 term infants aged 6 months (±2 weeks) were assessed with the 6-month ASQ-3, covering communication, gross motor, fine motor, problem-solving, and personal-social development. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests with post-hoc standardized residuals, and independent-samples t-tests were applied.
Results: The highest mean scores were observed in Problem Solving (54.0 ± 8.2) and communication (51.0 ± 7.5), while Gross Motor had the lowest mean score (41.1 ± 11.9). The Gross Motor domain also had the highest proportion of infants requiring monitoring or further assessment (31.5%). Item-response distributions differed significantly within all domains (all p < 0.001), with greater variability in several more complex skills. No statistically significant sex differences were found.
Conclusions: Neurodevelopment at 6 months shows substantial domain-specific variability, with basic skills generally more established than complex abilities. Standardized screening with ASQ-3 may support early identification of infants requiring monitoring or further assessment.
Keywords: Child Development, Neurodevelopment, Infant, Mass Screening, Surveys and Questionnaires, Motor Skills,
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Please cite this article as: Itova T. Neurodevelopmental Profile of 6-Month-Old Infants. J of IMAB. 2026 Oct-Dec;32(4):7179-7185. [Crossref - 10.5272/jimab.2026324.7179]
Correspondence to: Tatyana Itova, University Multidisciplinary Hospital for Active Treatment “Medica Ruse” Ltd., Ruse; 35, Riga Str., 7000 Ruse, Bulgaria. E-mail: taniaitova@abv.bg
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Received: 25 May 2026
Published online: 04 November 2026