espanolLa deteccion de los problemas de neurodesarrollo es un componente fundamental dentro de la intervencion temprana infantil, sin embargo, se reporta que 7 de cada 10 pediatras norteamericanos reconocen que para realizar la pesquisa del desarrollo infantil utilizan su juicio clinico. Esto deriva en diagnosticos tardios, ya que por este metodo se diagnostican menos del 30 % de ninos con patologias como retraso mental, trastornos de lenguaje o de aprendizaje y otros problemas del desarrollo (Alvarez, Soria & Galbe, 2009). La exploracion clinica no es suficiente para la investigacion del neurodesarrollo infantil, para esto es menester establecer estrategias sistematicas y dirigidas mediante la aplicacion del test de screening especificos (Schonhaut, Alvarez & Salinas, 2008). El objetivo de este trabajo es describir los instrumentos de pesquisa para deteccion temprana de problemas de neurodesarrollo que se reportan en la bibliografia cientifica. Se analizo la informacion mediante una revision bibliografica e investigativa de ocho bases de datos seleccionadas bajo el criterio de: instrumentos de pesquisa (screening) de neurodesarrollo. Otras palabras clave fueron: deteccion temprana infantil, problemas de desarrollo infantil. La informacion fue organizada y sistematizada en cluster de analisis, segun el tipo de instrumento: pruebas de screening de desarrollo y cuestionario a padres; a partir de estas categorias se analizo la utilidad, efectividad y validez en Latinoamerica de los instrumentos. Se concluyo que la mayoria de estas herramientas no cumple con las caracteristicas fundamentales de un instrumento de pesquisa: ser breve, economico y sencillo. Se considera que el Ages and Stages Questionnaries responde a tales necesidades EnglishThe detection of neurodevelopmental problems is a fundamental component of early childhood intervention; however, it is reported that 7 out of 10 American pediatricians acknowledge that they use clinical judgment to conduct child development research. This situation leads to late diagnosis since less than 30% of children with pathologies such as mental retardation, language or learning disorders, and other developmental problems are diagnosed by this method (Alvarez, Soria, Galbe, 2009). Clinical exploration is not enough for the investigation of ifantile neurodevelopment; for this reason, it is necessary to establish systematic strategies conducted through the application of the test of specific screening (Schonhaut, Alvarez, Salinas, 2008). This paper aims at describing the research instruments for the early detection of neurodevelopmental problems that are reported in the scientific literature. The information was analyzed through a bibliographical and investigative review of eight databases selected under the criterion of neurodevelopmental screening instruments. Other keywords were: childhood early detection and issues in child development. The information was organized and systematized in analysis clusters according to the type of instrument: development screening tests and a questionnaire. From those categories, the usefulness, effectivity, and validity of these instruments in Latin America were analyzed. It was concluded that most of these tools do not meet the fundamental characteristics of a research instrument namely to be brief, cost-effective and simple. It is considered that the Ages and Stages Questionnaires respond to such needs.