Comparative use of the Ages and Stages Questionnaires in the USA and Scandinavia: a systematic review

Aim The aim of this systematic review was to investigate screening practices with the Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ) and the Ages and Stages Questionnaires: Social‐Emotional (ASQ:SE) in the USA and Scandinavia and to identify practical lessons and research opportunities. Method The review was performed for ASQ‐ and ASQ:SE‐related studies in children from birth to 5 years. From nine databases and 1689 references (published from 1988–2018), 127 articles were included and categorized using Covidence online software. The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme Checklists were used before data synthesis. Results US studies primarily use the ASQ/ASQ:SE to detect delays in general and at‐risk populations in medical settings, which increases early detection, clinician‐referral, and intervention rates. Scandinavian studies commonly use the ASQ/ASQ:SE to monitor developmental–behavioural differences in intervention/exposure‐based cohorts. Pre‐visit screening yields completion/return rates of 83% to more than 90% and fosters same‐day interpretation. When referrals are indicated, systemwide care coordination or colocation with a developmental–behavioural specialist is beneficial. Interpretation Practical implementation lessons are reviewed. Research opportunities include investigating and measuring the ASQ/ASQ:SE's ‘overall’ sections. Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish translations are available but up‐to‐date norming and validation studies are needed throughout Scandinavia. Randomized controlled trials are needed to investigate outcomes in screened versus unscreened cohorts. What this paper adds General and at‐risk populations broadly benefited from periodic Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ) and/or Ages and Stages Questionnaires: Social‐Emotional (ASQ:SE) screening. Pre‐visit ASQ and/or ASQ:SE screenining implementation systems work best. The ASQ and ASQ:SE ‘overall’ sections are not quantifiable and under‐researched. Resumen Uso comparativo de los Cuestionarios de Edades y Etapas en los Estados Unidos y Escandinavia: una revisión sistemática Objetivo El objetivo de esta revisión sistemática fue investigar las prácticas de detección con los Cuestionarios de Edades y Etapas (ASQ) y los Cuestionarios de Edades y Etapas: Social‐Emocional (ASQ‐SE) en EE. UU. y Escandinavia e identificar lecciones prácticas y oportunidades de investigación. Método La revisión se realizó para estudios relacionados con ASQ y ASQ‐SE SE en niños desde el nacimiento hasta los 5 años. De nueve