Objective:

To assess the effectiveness and consistency of the ESSENCE-Q in identifying neurodevelopmental disorders during routine health check-ups at 18 and 36 months in Japan.

Approach:

• Study Design: The study was designed as a research add-on to standard municipal health check-ups, incorporating the ESSENCE-Q forms for data collection.
• Participants: Children eligible for routine health check-ups in two cities in Kochi Prefecture from April 2014 to March 2017 were recruited.
• Data Collection: Mothers consented to participate, and the ESSENCE-Q was collected alongside structured ratings by public health nurses and psychologists.

Key Findings:

• The ESSENCE-Q effectively identifies neurodevelopmental red flags during routine health check-ups.
• Inter-informant reproducibility was assessed, enhancing the understanding of the tool's reliability.
• Longitudinal diagnostic follow-up was conducted up to 6 years of age.

Interpretation:

The study provides insights into the use of the ESSENCE-Q for identifying neurodevelopmental disorders during health assessments.

Limitations:

• The study's findings may not be generalizable beyond the specific contexts of the two cities in Kochi Prefecture.
• Normal developmental variability at 18 and 36 months may complicate the interpretation of screening results.

Conclusion:

The ESSENCE-Q shows potential for early detection of neurodevelopmental disorders, but results should be interpreted with caution.