The quality of the early motor repertoire in preterm infants predicts minor neurologic dysfunction at school age

Spatiotemporal patterns of spontaneous movement in neonates are significantly linked to risk of autism spectrum disorders at 18 months old

Infants make spontaneous movements from the prenatal period. Several studies indicate that an atypical pattern of body motion during infancy could be utilized as an early biomarker of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). However, to date, little is known about whether the body motion pattern in neonates is associated with ASD risk. The present study sought to clarify this point by examining, in a longitudinal design, the link between features of spontaneous movement at about two days after birth and ASD risk evaluated using the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers by their caregivers at 18 months old. The body movement features were quantified by a recently developed markerless system of infant body motion analysis. Logistic regression analysis revealed that ASD risk at 18 months old is associated with the pattern of spontaneous movement at the neonatal stage. Further, logistic regression based on body movement features during sleep shows better performance in classifying high- and low-risk infants than during the awake state. These findings raise the possibility that early signs of ASD risk may emerge at a developmental stage far earlier than previously thought.

Early Spontaneous Movements and Sensory Processing in Preterm Infants

IMPORTANCE

Preterm infants are at higher risk of motor development abnormalities and sensory processing difficulties. Few studies have examined both movement development and sensory processing in the early months of life, and the results are controversial.

OBJECTIVE

In this cross-sectional study, we investigated (1) differences in early spontaneous movements and sensory processing between preterm infants born at <32 wk gestation and those born at 32 to 36 wk gestation when they reached corrected (postterm) age 3 to 5 mo and (2) the relationship between early spontaneous movements and sensory processing.

PARTICIPANTS

We included 50 preterm infants born at <32 wk gestation and 61 preterm infants born at 32 to 36 wk gestation.

OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

We assessed early spontaneous movements, including fidgety movements, using the General Movements Assessment (GMA), which provides the Motor Optimality Score (MOS), and sensory processing using the Infant Sensory Profile-2.

RESULTS

The preterm infants born at <32 wk gestation had lower MOS results (p = .035) and more sensory processing difficulties (p = .006) than those born at 32 to 36 wk gestation. We found no significant relationship between early spontaneous movements and sensory processing (p > .05).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Preterm infants born at <32 wk gestation are at increased risk for motor development abnormalities and sensory processing difficulties. What This Article Adds: Assessment of both motor development and sensory processing can play a crucial role in identifying infants who need early intervention.

Neurodevelopment in patients with biliary atresia up to toddler age: Outcomes and predictability

AIM

To assess neurodevelopment in young patients with biliary atresia (BA) and to determine the predictive value of General Movement Assessment (GMA) at infant age for neurodevelopmental impairments at toddler age.

METHOD

Infants diagnosed with BA were prospectively included in a longitudinal study. Neurodevelopmental status was previously assessed before Kasai porto-enterostomy (KPE) and one month after KPE using Prechtl's GMA, including motor optimality scores. At 2-3 years, neurodevelopment was assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, and compared to the Dutch norm population. The predictive value of GMA at infant age for motor skills and cognition at toddler age was determined.

RESULTS

Neurodevelopment was assessed in 41 BA patients. At toddler age (n = 38, age 29 ± 5 months, 70 % liver transplantation), 13 (39 %) patients scored below-average on motor skills, and 6 (17 %) patients on cognition. Abnormal GMA after KPE predicted both below-average motor skills and cognitive score at toddler age (sensitivity, 91 % and 80 %; specificity 83 % and 67 %; negative predictive value, 94 % and 94 %; and, positive predictive value, 77 % and 33 %, resp.).

INTERPRETATION

One-third of toddlers with BA show impaired motor skills. GMA post-KPE has a high predictive value to identify infants with BA at risk of neurodevelopmental impairments.

Relationship between fidgety movement and frequency of movement toward midline: An observational study

BACKGROUND

Infants show other movements and posture patterns during the fidgety movement period, including movement toward midline (MTM). Few studies have quantified MTM occurring during the fidgety movement period.

AIMS

This study aimed to examine the relationship between fidgety movements (FMs) and MTM frequency and occurrence rate per minute, from two video data sets (video attached to Prechtl video manual and accuracy data from Japan).

STUDY DESIGN

Observational study.

SUBJECTS

It encompassed 47 videos. Of these, 32 were deemed normal FMs. The study amalgamated FMs that were sporadic, abnormal, or absent into a category of aberrant (n = 15).

OUTCOME MEASURES

Infant video data were observed. MTM item occurrences were recorded and calculated for occurrence percentage and MTM rate of occurrence per minute. The differences between groups for the upper limbs, lower limbs, and total MTM were statistically analysed.

RESULTS

Twenty-three infant videos of normal FMs and seven infant videos of aberrant FMs showed MTM. Eight infant videos of aberrant FMs showed no MTM, and only four with absent FMs were included. There was a significant difference in the total MTM rate of occurrence per minute between normal FMs versus aberrant FMs (p = 0.008).

CONCLUSIONS

This study presented MTM frequency and rate of occurrence per minute in infants who showed FMs during the fidgety movement period. Those who showed absent FMs also demonstrated no MTM. Further study may need a larger sample size of absent FMs and information on later development.

The General Movements Motor Optimality Score in High-Risk Infants: A Systematic Scoping Review

PURPOSE

The aim of this systematic scoping review was to explore the use of the motor optimality score in the fidgety movement period in clinical practice, and to investigate evidence for the motor optimality score in predicting neurodevelopmental outcomes.

SUMMARY OF KEY POINTS

Thirty-seven studies, with 3662 infants, were included. Studies were conceptualized and charted into 4 categories based on the motor optimality score: prediction, outcome measure, descriptive, or psychometric properties. The most represented populations were preterm or low-birth-weight infants (16 studies), infants with cerebral palsy or neurological concerns (5 studies), and healthy or term-born infants (4 studies).

CONCLUSION

The motor optimality score has the potential to add value to existing tools used to predict risk of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. Further research is needed regarding the reliability and validity of the motor optimality score to support increased use of this tool in clinical practice. What this adds to the evidence : The motor optimality score has potential to improve the prediction of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. Further research on validity and reliability of the motor optimality score is needed; however, a revised version, the motor optimality score-R (with accompanying manual) will likely contribute to more consistency in the reporting of the motor optimality score in future.

Identification of risk factors in pre-term infants with abnormal general movements

INTRODUCTION

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between prenatal, perinatal, and postnatal risk factors for neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) with the outcomes of General Movement (GM) Assessment (GMA) in pre-term infants at 3-5 months of age. We sought to identify the risk factors associated with the predictors of psychomotor development in pre-term newborns, such as normal fidgety movements (FMs), absent FMs, or abnormal FMs, assessed during the fidgety period of motor development.

METHODS

The SYNAGIS program (prophylactic of Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infection) was used to identify risk factors for the development of neuromotor deficits in 164 pre-term infants who were at high risk of developing these deficits. Based on the GMA, all participants were divided into three groups of infants who presented: (1) normal FMs; (2) absent FMs; and (3) abnormal FMs.

RESULTS

The results of the current study suggest that abnormal GMs not only indicate commonly known factors like birth asphyxia (BA), respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), periventricular leukomalacia (PVL), intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) grades 3-4, but also predict the development of motor impairments. In the present study, several specific risk factors including bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), infertility treatments, maternal acute viral/bacterial infections during pregnancy, and elevated bilirubin levels were identified as attributes of an atypical fidgety movement pattern.

CONCLUSIONS

Additional clinical data, such as risk factors for NDI associated with early predictors of psychomotor development in pre-term newborns, i.e., absent or abnormal FMs, may be helpful in predicting neurological outcomes in pre-term infants with developmental concerns in the 1st month of life.

The Importance of Monitoring Neurodevelopmental Outcomes for Preterm Infants: A Comparison of the AIMS, GMA, Pull to Sit Maneuver and ASQ-3

BACKGROUND

Clinicians and parents should closely monitor the neurodevelopment of very preterm infants. The aim of our study was to compare whether neurodevelopmental assessments completed by parents and those done by specialists yielded similar outcomes. We wanted to check whether the assessments completed by specialists and parents were comparable in outcomes to emphasize the important roles of early assessment of a child and of the parents in their child's treatment and medical care. Another aim was to check whether or not the pull to sit maneuver from the Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS) is still a parable item in well-known scales of neurodevelopment.

METHODS

We assessed 18 preterm neonates in the fourth month of corrected age with scales such as the General Movement Assessment (GMA), the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS), and the pull to sit maneuver from the NBAS. Finally, we asked parents to complete the Ages and Stages Questionnaire, Third Edition (ASQ-3).

RESULTS

We found that the respective assessments completed by specialists and parents are comparable in outcomes. We also found that the pull to sit item from the NBAS was still a valid test since it showed similar findings to those from the AIMS, the GMA, and the ASQ-3.

CONCLUSIONS

The pull to sit item from the NBAS is an important item for assessment of very preterm infants. Specialists should also take into consideration the input and concerns of parents when planning for treatment and intervention.

Parent-recorded videos of infant spontaneous movement: Comparisons at 3-4 months and relationships with 2-year developmental outcomes in extremely preterm, extremely low birthweight and term-born infants

BACKGROUND

Infants born extremely preterm (EP, <28-week gestational age) or extremely low birthweight (ELBW, <1000 g) are at risk of developmental delay and cerebral palsy (CP). The General Movements Assessment (GMA) and its extension, the Motor Optimality Score, revised (MOS-R) (assesses movement patterns and posture), may help to identify early delays.

OBJECTIVES

To compare differences in the MOS-R scored from parent-recorded videos between infants born EP/ELBW and term-born infants, to determine relationships between the MOS-R and 2-year cognitive, language and motor outcomes and if any relationships differ between birth groups and the association of the GMA (fidgety) with CP.

METHODS

A geographical cohort (EP/ELBW and term-control infants) was assessed using the MOS-R inclusive of the GMA at 3- to 4-month corrected age (CA), and the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, 3rd edition (Bayley-III) at 2-year CA. Differences in mean total MOS-R between groups, relationships between MOS-R and 2-year outcomes and relationships between GMA (fidgety) and CP in infants born EP/ELBW were estimated using linear/logistic regression.

RESULTS

Three hundred and twelve infants (147 EP/ELBW; 165 term) had complete MOS-R and Bayley-III assessments. Mean MOS-R was lower in infants born EP/ELBW than controls (mean difference -3.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] -4.2, -2.3). MOS-R was positively related to cognitive (β [regression coefficient] = 0.71, 95% CI 0.27, 1.15), language (β = 0.96, 95% CI 0.38, 1.54) and motor outcomes (β = .89, 95% CI 0.45, 1.34). There was little evidence for interaction effects between birth groups for any outcome. Absent/abnormal fidgety movements were related to CP in children born EP/ELBW (risk ratio 5.91, 95% CI 1.48, 23.7).

CONCLUSIONS

Infants born EP/ELBW have lower MOS-R than infants born at term. A higher MOS-R is related to better outcomes for 2-year development, with similar relationships in both birth groups. Absent/abnormal fidgety movements are related to CP in EP/ELBW survivors.

Development and Validation of a Deep Learning Method to Predict Cerebral Palsy From Spontaneous Movements in Infants at High Risk

IMPORTANCE

Early identification of cerebral palsy (CP) is important for early intervention, yet expert-based assessments do not permit widespread use, and conventional machine learning alternatives lack validity.

OBJECTIVE

To develop and assess the external validity of a novel deep learning-based method to predict CP based on videos of infants' spontaneous movements at 9 to 18 weeks' corrected age.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS

This prognostic study of a deep learning-based method to predict CP at a corrected age of 12 to 89 months involved 557 infants with a high risk of perinatal brain injury who were enrolled in previous studies conducted at 13 hospitals in Belgium, India, Norway, and the US between September 10, 2001, and October 25, 2018. Analysis was performed between February 11, 2020, and September 23, 2021. Included infants had available video recorded during the fidgety movement period from 9 to 18 weeks' corrected age, available classifications of fidgety movements ascertained by the general movement assessment (GMA) tool, and available data on CP status at 12 months' corrected age or older. A total of 418 infants (75.0%) were randomly assigned to the model development (training and internal validation) sample, and 139 (25.0%) were randomly assigned to the external validation sample (1 test set).

EXPOSURE

Video recording of spontaneous movements.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES

The primary outcome was prediction of CP. Deep learning-based prediction of CP was performed automatically from a single video. Secondary outcomes included prediction of associated functional level and CP subtype. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and accuracy were assessed.

RESULTS

Among 557 infants (310 [55.7%] male), the median (IQR) corrected age was 12 (11-13) weeks at assessment, and 84 infants (15.1%) were diagnosed with CP at a mean (SD) age of 3.4 (1.7) years. Data on race and ethnicity were not reported because previous studies (from which the infant samples were derived) used different study protocols with inconsistent collection of these data. On external validation, the deep learning-based CP prediction method had sensitivity of 71.4% (95% CI, 47.8%-88.7%), specificity of 94.1% (95% CI, 88.2%-97.6%), positive predictive value of 68.2% (95% CI, 45.1%-86.1%), and negative predictive value of 94.9% (95% CI, 89.2%-98.1%). In comparison, the GMA tool had sensitivity of 70.0% (95% CI, 45.7%-88.1%), specificity of 88.7% (95% CI, 81.5%-93.8%), positive predictive value of 51.9% (95% CI, 32.0%-71.3%), and negative predictive value of 94.4% (95% CI, 88.3%-97.9%). The deep learning method achieved higher accuracy than the conventional machine learning method (90.6% [95% CI, 84.5%-94.9%] vs 72.7% [95% CI, 64.5%-79.9%]; P < .001), but no significant improvement in accuracy was observed compared with the GMA tool (85.9%; 95% CI, 78.9%-91.3%; P = .11). The deep learning prediction model had higher sensitivity among infants with nonambulatory CP (100%; 95% CI, 63.1%-100%) vs ambulatory CP (58.3%; 95% CI, 27.7%-84.8%; P = .02) and spastic bilateral CP (92.3%; 95% CI, 64.0%-99.8%) vs spastic unilateral CP (42.9%; 95% CI, 9.9%-81.6%; P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

In this prognostic study, a deep learning-based method for predicting CP at 9 to 18 weeks' corrected age had predictive accuracy on external validation, which suggests possible avenues for using deep learning-based software to provide objective early detection of CP in clinical settings.

Association between General Movements Assessment and Later Motor Delay (excluding Cerebral Palsy) in Low-Birth-Weight Infants

The general movements (GMs) assessment is useful for the prediction of cerebral palsy (CP) and other developmental disorders. Developmental coordination disorder (DCD) is highly prevalent in low-birth-weight (LBW) infants. We investigated the association between aberrant GMs during early infancy and later motor development in LBW infants. The study included infants who fulfilled the following criteria: GMs assessed at 9–20 weeks post-term age; developmental quotient (DQ) assessed at 3 years of age using the Kyoto Scale; intelligence quotient (IQ) assessed at 6 years of age. Participants with normal IQs at 6 years of age without a diagnosis of CP (14 males and 37 females, 23–36 weeks gestation with birth weights of 492–1498 g) were categorized into normal (n = 39) and aberrant (n = 12) groups based on GMs assessment; DQ was compared between the groups. We investigated the items in the DQ assessment and found that the infants in the aberrant group were more frequently unable to perform. Infants in the aberrant group showed a significantly lower DQ in the ‘postural-motor domain’, and were more frequently unable to ‘climb the stairs with alternating legs’ and ‘Jump from a 15–20 cm platform’. This study highlights that GMs aberrancy in early infancy is associated with a delayed gross motor development, even in children with a typical development. The GMs assessment may be useful for the prediction of DCD.

Early prediction of neurodevelopmental outcomes at 12 years in children born extremely preterm

BACKGROUND

Extremely preterm (EPT) birth is a major risk factor for neurodevelopmental impairments. The aim was to evaluate the predictive value of Prechtl General Movement Assessment (GMA), including the Motor Optimality Score-Revised (MOS-R), at 3 months corrected age (CA) for adverse neurodevelopmental outcome at the age of 12 years.

METHODS

The GMA, including the MOS-R, was applied at 3 months CA and outcomes were assessed at 12 years by Touwen's neurological examination, the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2, and chart reviews.

RESULTS

Fifty-three infants born EPT (33 boys, mean GA 25 weeks, mean body weight 805 ± 156 g) were included. Forty-two (79%) children participated in the follow-up (mean age 12.3 ± 0.4) and 62% of these had adverse outcomes. The MOS-R differed between groups (p = 0.007). The respective predictive values of GMA, aberrant FMs, and the MOS-R cut-off of 21 for adverse outcomes were positive predictive values (PPVs) of 1.00 and 0.77, negative predictive value of 0.47 and 0.63, sensitivity of 0.31 and 0.77, and specificity of 1.00 and 0.77.

CONCLUSIONS

Using the Prechtl GMA, including the MOS-R, at 3 months CA predicted an overall adverse neurodevelopment at 12 years, with a high PPV, specificity, and sensitivity in children born EPT.

IMPACT

The Prechtl GMA, including the MOS-R, can improve early identification of long-term adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes. This is the first study to investigate the predictive value of the MOS-R for neurodevelopmental outcome at mid-school age in children born EPT. Using the GMA, including the MOS-R, is suggested as one important part of the neurological assessment at 3 months CA in children born EPT. Aberrant FMs in combination with a MOS of <21 is an indicator of an increased risk of future adverse neurodevelopment in children born EPT.

Spontaneous movements, motor milestones, and temperament of preterm-born infants: Associations with mother-infant attunement

Preterm-born infants and their mothers are at higher risk of showing less attuned interactions. We sought to identify characteristics of preterm-born infants associated with the attunement of mother-infant interactions at the corrected ages of 3-4 months, looking specifically at motor behaviors. We focused on infants' spontaneous movements, achievement of motor milestones, and temperament, which at this young age is often manifested via movement. Sixty preterm-born infants (Mdn_{gestation age in weeks}  = 33, 57.38% male, corrected age Mdn = 14 weeks, interquartile range = 13-16) and their mothers participated. Independent observers rated mother-infant attunement, infants' spontaneous movements, and infants' achievement of motor milestones. Mothers reported infant temperament. We found infants' smooth and fluent movement character and continual fidgety movements were associated with better attunement in terms of higher maternal sensitivity and non-intrusiveness and higher infant responsiveness and involvement. Unexpectedly, infants' achievement of motor milestones was not significantly associated with mother-infant attunement, and maternal reports of infants' higher soothability were associated with lower maternal sensitivity. The study illustrates the value of including the assessment of infants' spontaneous movements, designed for early detection of neurological deficiencies, in research and in clinical practice with parents and preterm-born infants.

Analysis of Spontaneous Movements in Infants With Torticollis

PURPOSE

This study aimed to investigate whether the movements and postures of 3- to 5-month-old infants with torticollis differ from those of infants without torticollis and to determine the relationship between clinical characteristics and the Motor Optimality Score (MOS) in torticollis.

METHODS

Participants were 40 infants with torticollis and 40 infants developing typically without torticollis. The infants were evaluated with detailed general movement assessment.

RESULTS

There were significant differences in the MOS and subcategory scores for age-adequate movement repertoire and observed postural patterns between groups. Clinical characteristics were not related to the reduction in the MOS.

CONCLUSIONS

Infants with torticollis have differences in movements and postures at 3 to 5 months of age compared with controls. Strategies supporting the movement repertoire of infants with torticollis can be added to rehabilitation programs for infants with the lower MOS to optimize their motor development.

Differential Placental DNA Methylation of NR3C1 in Extremely Preterm Infants With Poorer Neurological Functioning

BACKGROUND

Understanding underlying mechanisms of neurodevelopmental impairment following preterm birth may enhance opportunities for targeted interventions. We aimed to assess whether placental DNA methylation of selected genes affected early neurological functioning in preterm infants.

METHODS

We included 43 infants, with gestational age <30 weeks and/or birth weight <1,000 g and placental samples at birth. We selected genes based on their associations with several prenatal conditions that may be related to poor neurodevelopmental outcomes. We determined DNA methylation using pyrosequencing, and neurological functioning at 3 months post-term using Prechtl's General Movement Assessment, including the Motor Optimality Score-Revised (MOS-R).

RESULTS

Twenty-four infants had atypical MOS-R, 19 infants had near-optimal MOS-R. We identified differences in average methylation of NR3C1 (encoding for the glucocorticoid receptor) [3.3% (95%-CI: 2.4%-3.9%) for near-optimal vs. 2.3% (95%-CI: 1.7%-3.0%), p = 0.008 for atypical], and at three of the five individual CpG-sites. For EPO, SLC6A3, TLR4, VEGFA, LEP and HSD11B2 we found no differences between the groups.

CONCLUSION

Hypomethylation of NR3C1 in placental tissue is associated with poorer neurological functioning at 3 months post-term in extremely preterm infants. Alleviating stress during pregnancy and its impact on preterm infants and their neurodevelopmental outcomes should be further investigated.

Neonatal PT Improves Neurobehavior and General Movements in Moderate to Late Preterm Infants Born in India: An RCT

PURPOSE

To examine whether a structured neonatal physical therapy program (SNP) improves neurobehavior and general movements in moderate to late preterm (MLP) infants.

METHODS

Sixty MLP infants participated in this clinical trial. After baseline assessment using the Neurobehavioral Assessment of Preterm Infant (NAPI) and Prechtl General Movements (GMs) Assessment, infants were randomly allocated to a usual care (n = 30) or an SNP group (n = 30) and continued receiving usual care. The SNP group received intervention for 90 minutes/day, 6 days/week until discharge. Changes in neurobehavior and GMs were assessed at hospital discharge.

RESULTS

Changes in scores on scarf sign and motor development and vigor clusters of NAPI document an improvement in the SNP group. The proportion of infants with poor repertoire GMs also decreased more in the SNP group than in the usual care group.

CONCLUSION

The SNP may be effective in improving some aspects of neurobehavior and quality of GMs in MLP infants.

WHAT THIS ADDS TO THE EVIDENCE

The addition of a structured neonatal physical therapy program to usual care can promote neurobehavioral organization and improve the quality of general movements in moderate and late preterm infants in India.

Assessing parasympathetic measures of heart rate variability shortly after birth to predict motor repertoire at four months in low risk preterm infants born between 28 and 32 weeks of gestation

In low risk preterm infants, the risk for mild to moderate neuro-motor impairment is extremely high. Additionally, the autonomic nervous system (ANS) function was also found to be impaired. ANS activity may predict neuro-motor development at four months corrected age. This study examines the predictive value of the ANS function in detecting neuro-motor impairments during the first 4 months of life among low risk preterm infants born between 28 and 32 weeks of gestation. 46 infants were recruited. For each infant, heart rate variability (HRV) measures were obtained at week born, 32- and 35-weeks postmenstrual age (PMA). The General Movement Assessment (GMA) and the Motor Optimality Score for 3- to 5- Month- Old Infants (MOS) were performed at 35 weeks PMA and at 4 months corrected age respectively. A significant correlation was found between the parasympathetic nervous system (PSNS) components of HRV and the MOS evaluation. Preterm infants with suboptimal MOS scores showed significantly lower HRV values in the components of the PSNS (0.01 < p-value <0.04). A weak correlation was found between the HRV and the GMA. A Receiver Operating Characteristic was designed and revealed the predictive validity of the PSNS in preterm infants with a suboptimal MOS score. The current study shows that among very preterm infants with no additional risk factors, the PSNS component of HRV can predict neuro-motor outcome at 4 months corrected age and may be used as an early sign for mild neuro-motor impairments in order to initiate an early intervention program.

The Effects of Different Exteroceptive Experiences on the Early Motor Repertoire in Infants With Down Syndrome

OBJECTIVE

Down syndrome is a chromosomal abnormality in which muscle tone, motor development, and sensory systems are affected. The objectives of this study were to examine the changes in movements and postures of 3- to 5-month-old infants with Down syndrome and infants who were neurotypical controls during exposure to a rough-textured surface and to compare the differences occurring before and during an exteroceptive condition that was different between the 2 groups.

METHODS

In this quasi-experimental study, participants were 20 infants with Down syndrome (8 female infants; age range = 10-18 weeks, mean [SD] = 12 weeks 2 days [2 weeks 2 days]) and 20 age-matched infants with typical development (8 female infants; age range = 9-17 weeks, mean (SD) = 12 weeks 6 days [1 week 5 days]). The movements and postures of the infants, including fidgety movements, were assessed according to the General Movements Assessment, which determines the Motor Optimality Score (MOS), on 2 surfaces.

RESULTS

The MOS outcomes of the infants with Down syndrome (median = 21.5, range = 6-28) were significantly lower than those of the infants who were neurotypical (median = 28, range = 23-28) on a standard mattress. The postures were found to be significantly better in infants with Down syndrome during exposure to a rough-textured surface. The MOS did not change due to the different exteroceptive experiences in infants with Down syndrome and infants who were neurotypical.

CONCLUSION

The different exteroceptive experiences caused only postural alterations, which might play a crucial role in early intervention programs for infants with Down syndrome.

IMPACT

This is the first study, to our knowledge, on the effects of different exteroceptive conditions, such as a coco coir mattress covered with muslin fabric, on the early motor repertoire in infants with Down syndrome. The findings showed that infants with Down syndrome had heterogeneity in their fidgety movements and large variability of the MOS, and the MOS results from infants with Down syndrome were lower than those of infants who were neurotypical. Fidgety movements and the MOS did not change due to the different exteroceptive experiences in either group. Significant improvements in posture were observed during exposure to a rough-textured surface. The improvement of posture is essential; clinicians might consider the positive effect of putting an infant with Down syndrome on a rough-textured surface and include this strategy in early intervention programs.

Very Preterm Early Motor Repertoire and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes at 8 Years

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

Children born very preterm (<32 weeks' gestation) have more neurodevelopmental problems compared with term-born peers. Aberrant fidgety movements (FMs) are associated with adverse motor outcomes in children born very preterm. However, associations of aberrant FMs combined with additional movements and postures to give a motor optimality score-revised (MOS-R) with school-aged cognitive and motor outcomes are unclear. Our aim with this study was to determine those associations.

METHODS

Of 118 infants born <30 weeks' gestation recruited into a randomized controlled trial of early intervention, 97 had a general movements assessment at 3 months' corrected age and were eligible for this study. Early motor repertoire including FMs and MOS-R were scored from videos of infant's spontaneous movement at 3 months' corrected age. At 8 years' corrected age, cognitive and motor performances were evaluated. Associations of early FMs and MOS-R with outcomes at 8 years were determined using linear regression.

RESULTS

Seventy-eight (80%) infants with early motor repertoire data had neurodevelopmental assessments at 8 years. A higher MOS-R, and favorable components of the individual subscales of the MOS-R, including the presence of normal FMs, were associated with better performance for general cognition, attention, working memory, executive function and motor function at 8 years; eg, presence of normal FMs was associated with a 21.6 points higher general conceptual ability score (95% confidence interval: 12.8-30.5; P < .001) compared with absent FMs.

CONCLUSIONS

Favorable early motor repertoire of infants born <30 weeks is strongly associated with improved cognitive and motor performance at 8 years.

How brachial plexus birth palsy affects motor development and upper extremity skill quality?

PURPOSE

This study aimed to investigate the gross motor functions including head control, midline crossing, and rolling, and the relationship between these developmental skills and upper extremity skill quality in children with neonatal brachial plexus palsy (NBPP).

METHODS

A total of 106 children with NBPP, aged 10-18 months, were included in this study. Injury severity was determined with the Narakas Classification. The gross motor function measurement lying and rolling sub-scale was used to evaluate gross motor functions including head control, midline crossing, and rolling, while the Quality of Upper Extremity Skills Test was applied to assess the upper extremity skill quality. The assessments were performed only once during routine physiotherapy controls.

RESULTS

As the severity of injury increased, developmental skill capacity decreased and upper extremity skill quality deteriorated (ps = 0.0001). There was a strong positive correlation between these developmental skills and upper extremity skill quality (ps = 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

Developmental skills are affected by NBPP. Rehabilitation programs aimed at increasing the quality of upper extremity skills should be included in neurodevelopmental treatment approaches.

The general movement checklist: A guide to the assessment of general movements during preterm and term age

OBJECTIVES

To develop a checklist describing features of normal and abnormal general movements in order to guide General Movement Assessment novices through the assessment procedure, to provide a quantification of General Movement Assessment; and to demonstrate that normal and abnormal GMs can be distinguished on the basis of a metric checklist score.

METHODS

Three examiners used General Movement Assessment and the newly developed GM checklist to assess 20 videos of 16 infants (seven males) recorded at 31-45 weeks postmenstrual age (writhing general movements). Inter- and intra-scorer agreement was determined for General Movement Assessment (nominal data; Kappa values) and the checklist score (metric scale ranging from 0 to 26; Intraclass Correlation values). The scorers' satisfaction with the usefulness of the checklist was assessed by means of a short questionnaire (score 10 for maximum satisfaction).

RESULTS

The scorers' satisfaction ranged from 8.44 to 9.14, which indicates high satisfaction. The median checklist score of the nine videos showing normal general movements was significantly higher than that of the eleven videos showing abnormal general movements (26 vs. 11, p<0.001). The checklist score also differentiated between poor-repertoire (median=13) and cramped-synchronized general movements (median=7; p=0.002). Inter- and intra-scorer agreement on (i) normal vs. abnormal general movements was good to excellent (Kappa=0.68-1.00); (ii) the distinction between the four general movement categories was considerable to excellent (Kappa=0.56-0.93); (iii) the checklist was good to excellent (ICC=0.77-0.96).

CONCLUSION

The general movement checklist proved an important tool for the evaluation of normal and abnormal general movements; its score may potentially document individual trajectories and the effect of therapeutic intervention.

The ontogeny of limbs movements towards midline in healthy infants born at term

BACKGROUND

Movements towards midline are part of the age-adequate motor repertoire of infants. They develop contemporaneously to general movements, changing from occasional simple contact to proper midline motor patterns.

AIM

The aim of this study is to describe the ontogeny of movements towards midline in full term healthy infants.

STUDY DESIGN

Parents were asked to record their infant every second week, from term age to 22 weeks post-term.

SUBJECTS

25 healthy full-term infants.

RESULTS

Three main epochs of development were detected: in the first one, between birth and 4 weeks post-term, movements towards midline were occasional, apparently due to the dominant flexed posture of elbow and knees and the adducted posture of shoulders and hips. In the second epoch, from 4 to 8 weeks, the limbs movements towards midline markedly decreased. In the third one, after 8 weeks, movements towards midline increased again in frequency, first appearing in lower limbs then in upper limbs, first solely as contact and thereafter as manipulation. A temporal overlapping with the occurrence of intermittent or continual fidgety movements was detected.

CONCLUSIONS

Movements towards midline progressively change, through a defined timeline, in full term healthy infants. The increased knowledge about the normal age-adequate motor repertoire can help physicians in clinical assessment of high risk infants.

Early Motor Repertoire in Infants With Biliary Atresia: A Nationwide Prospective Cohort Study

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to assess the neurological status in infants with biliary atresia (BA) at time of diagnosis, using Prechtl's validated General Movement Assessment.

METHODS

Infants diagnosed with BA were prospectively included in a nationwide cohort study. From birth to approximately 46 weeks of postmenstrual age (PMA), general movements (GMs) are defined as "writhing movements." At 46 to 49 weeks PMA, "'fidgety movements" emerge. The infant's early motor repertoire was recorded on video before Kasai portoenterostomy. We scored GM optimality scores (min-max 5-42) or motor optimality scores (MOS, min-max 5-28) as appropriate. We defined GM optimality scores <36 and MOS <26 as atypical, and compared the results with 2 reference groups of healthy peers.

RESULTS

We assessed GMs in 35 infants with BA (11/35 boys, gestational age 40 weeks [36-42], birth weight 3370 g [2015-4285]). At time of diagnosis (PMA 47 weeks [42-60]), 16 infants (46%) showed atypical GMs. The proportion of infants with atypical GMs was significantly higher in BA (46%) than in 2 reference groups of healthy infants (vs 10%, P < 0.001; vs 18%, P < 0.001). Total and direct bilirubin levels were 165 μmol/L (87-364) and 134 μmol/L (72-334), respectively, height z score was 0.05 (-2.90, 1.75), weight z score -0.52 ([-2.50, -0.20) and mean upper arm circumference z score -1.80 (-2.50, -0.20). We found no statistically significant relation between atypical GMs and clinical variables.

CONCLUSIONS

Almost half of the infants with BA showed atypical GMs at time of diagnosis, suggesting neurological impairment. Close monitoring of these infants is warranted to determine their individual neurodevelopmental trajectories.

Movements and posture in infants born extremely preterm in comparison to term-born controls

BACKGROUND

Identifying altered motor development at an early stage is crucial for infants born extremely preterm (EPT), as they face a high risk of long-term neurodevelopmental impairment. The Prechtl General Movement Assessment (GMA), including the Motor Optimality Score Revised (MOS-R), can provide important insights into these infants' later neurodevelopmental function.

AIMS

To compare age-specific movements and postures in infants born EPT compared to term-born controls at three months corrected age.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective observational study design.

SUBJECTS

53 infants born EPT (mean gestational age 25 weeks; 23-26) were included and matched for gender and recording age with 53 term-born controls (mean gestational age 40 weeks, 37-41).

OUTCOME MEASURES

GMA including the MOS-R at three months corrected age (re-analysis of video-recordings).

RESULTS

Of the infants born EPT, 19% showed aberrant fidgety movements (FMs); all term-born infants had normal FMs. There was a significant difference in MOS-R (p≤0.001) between controls (median = 26, IQR 26-28) and EPT infants (median = 18, IQR 17-21), as well as in all subcategories of the MOS-R. The EPT group had a significantly higher number of infants showing atypical movement and postural patterns as well as a reduced repertoire for the age compared to the controls. All infants born EPT moved monotonously and jerky. P-values were all <0.001.

CONCLUSION

Infants born EPT have an altered early motor development. The MOS-R may contribute to further understanding of motor performance in this group of children since it can detect neurological- and motor alterations at a very early age.

Subtle impairment of neurodevelopment in infants with late fetal growth restriction

INTRODUCTION

Children with late fetal growth restriction (FGR) are at high risk of being born small for gestational age (SGA). These categories of newborns are at increased risk for neurodevelopment impairment. The general movements assessment, in particular at fidgety age, has been used to predict neurological dysfunctions. This study aimed to evaluate growth recovery, presence of fidgety movements at 3 months, and neurodevelopmental outcome at 2 years of age in term late FGR infants and adequate for gestational age (AGA) controls.

METHODS

Prospective clinical evaluation. At 3 months auxological parameters (AP) and neurological examination were evaluated while at 24 months neurodevelopment outcome by Griffiths Mental Development Scales (GMDS-R) was evaluated.

RESULTS

38 late FGR and 20 AGA controls completed the study. Despite a significant catch up, at 3 months 13% of late FGR presented at least one auxological parameter <3° percentile. Moreover, 23.7% of late FGR infants did not show fidgety movements compared to 100% AGA controls (p < .001). Cranial circumference at birth resulted a positive predictive factor for FMs (p = .039). At 2 years of age, a difference statistically significant between late FGR and AGA was detected in GMDS-R.

CONCLUSION

Independently from growth recovery, fidgety movements resulted less expressed in late FGR infants, and at 2 years of age the neurodevelopmental assessment revealed differences in each domain of evaluation between late FGR and AGA infants, although within normal ranges.

Standardized motor assessments before the age of five predicting school-aged motor outcome including DCD: A systematic review

AIM

Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder usually diagnosed at primary-school-age. This systematic review aimed to summarize available standardized motor assessments before five years of age predicting DCD, complex Minor Neurological Disorder (cMND) and motor delay assessed by a standardized motor test.

METHODS

A systematic search was performed in MEDLINE, CINAHL, WoS, Scopus, CENTRAL and ERIC. A hand search was executed. Only data of non-Cerebral Palsy children was included.

RESULTS

At or before two years, the BSID, motor subtests of GMDS, NOMAS, and NSMDA might be valuable in detecting school-aged motor delay, while starting at three years, the PDMS, motor subtests of GMDS, NSDMA, M-ABC-2, and CAMPB show promising results. General movements Assessment is associated with cMND, but does not seem sensitive enough to detect DCD. Predictive values are superior in high-risk groups and improve as children age. However, no assessment instrument reached 80% sensitivity and specificity.

CONCLUSION

Standardized motor assessments before five years seem valuable in detecting early motor problems. More longitudinal research commencing in infancy, including multiple assessments over time and the implementation of clear diagnostic criteria is imperative.

General Movement Assessment Predicts Neuro-Developmental Outcome in Very Low Birth Weight Infants at Two Years - A Five-Year Observational Study

OBJECTIVE

To assess the value of general movements (GMs) in predicting the neurodevelopmental outcome using Bayley Scale of Infant Development III (BSID-III) at two years of age in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants.

METHODS

This is a five-year observational study (January 2012-June 2017). Two hundred twenty-seven VLBW infants were assessed in the neurodevelopmental clinic between Jan 2012 and June 2017. Of these 137 infants had GMs assessments at 3 mo post term (first visit to the clinic).

RESULTS

Absence of fidgety movements (FMs) at 3 mo post term had high specificity and negative predictive value for moderate to severe neurodevelopmental outcome in motor, cognition and language domains (composite score less than 70 in the Bayley III scales of Infant development scores). At 3 mo post term, absent FMs had high sensitivity, specificity and negative predictive value (NPV) for cerebral palsy (CP).

CONCLUSIONS

GMs assessment at 3 mo post term could be considered as an important screening tool for early identification of VLBW infants who are at risk of neurodevelopmental impairment/cerebral palsy.

General Movement assessment and neurodevelopmental trajectory in extremely preterm infants with hypothyroxinaemia of prematurity (THOP)

BACKGROUND

Transient hypothyroxinaemia of prematurity (THOP) has been associated with neurodevelopmental deficits with a paucity of literature leading to variable practice.

AIM

Evaluation of the relationship between free T4 (fT4) levels at 2 weeks after birth and early markers of neurodevelopmental outcome.

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective study of prospectively collected data from infants born <29 weeks' gestation, admitted to NICU between January 2012 and December 2014. The primary outcomes were the relationship between fT4 levels at 2 weeks, Prechtl General Movement Assessment (GMA) at 36 weeks and 3 months postterm age, and Bayley Scales of Infant Development (BSID-III) at 2 years postterm age. Secondary outcomes were survival free of disability and other neonatal morbidities.

RESULTS

Of 122 infants, 101 infants had normal fT4 levels (No-THOP) and 21 had fT4 levels >1SD below the mean (THOP group). There was increased frequency of abnormal GMA in the No-THOP group compared with the THOP group at 36 weeks (abnormal writhing GMs: 43% vs 21%, p = 0.15) and 3 months corrected age (absent fidgety GMs: 7.6% vs 0%, p = 0.36), though not statistically significant. The neurodevelopmental outcome was worse in the No-THOP group compared with the THOP group with significantly lower mean cognitive and motor scores at 2 year of corrected age (90 ± 13.8 vs 100 ± 8.3, p = 0.01 and 91 ± 15.2 vs 100 ± 13.2, p = 0.04 respectively).

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first report describing General Movements (GMs) in preterm infants with THOP. We found worse neurodevelopmental outcome in No-THOP infants reflected by significantly worse cognitive and motor outcomes at 2 years corrected age.

Assessment of Motor Repertoire in 3- to 5-Month-Old Infants With Obstetric Brachial Plexus Lesion

PURPOSE

The aim of this study was to define the movement characteristics and postures of infants with obstetric brachial plexus lesion.

METHODS

The study group included 20 infants with obstetric brachial plexus lesion and a control group of 20 infants with normal neurological outcome, aged 9 to 17 weeks postterm. Infants were evaluated by global and detailed general movements assessment.

RESULTS

There were no significant differences between the motor optimality scores of the 2 groups. However, there were some differences in terms of concurrent movements and the posture. Infants with obstetric brachial plexus lesion demonstrated more excitement bursts, head rotation, hand-knee contact, rolling, and few finger posture and postural asymmetry, and performed jerky movements when compared with the control group.

CONCLUSIONS

Obstetric brachial plexus lesion did not affect the quality of fidgety movements of the infants but leads to compensatory movements in concurrent movements on the unaffected sides.

Onset of brain injury in infants with prenatally diagnosed congenital heart disease

BACKGROUND

The exact onset of brain injury in infants with congenital heart disease (CHD) is unknown. Our aim was, therefore, to assess the association between prenatal Doppler flow patterns, postnatal cerebral oxygenation and short-term neurological outcome.

METHODS

Prenatally, we measured pulsatility indices of the middle cerebral (MCA-PI) and umbilical artery (UA-PI) and calculated cerebroplacental ratio (CPR). After birth, cerebral oxygen saturation (rcSO2) and fractional tissue oxygen extraction (FTOE) were assessed during the first 3 days after birth, and during and for 24 hours after every surgical procedure within the first 3 months after birth. Neurological outcome was determined preoperatively and at 3 months of age by assessing general movements and calculating the Motor Optimality Score (MOS).

RESULTS

Thirty-six infants were included. MOS at 3 months was associated with MCA-PI (rho 0.41, P = 0.04), UA-PI (rho -0.39, P = 0.047, and CPR (rho 0.50, P = 0.01). Infants with abnormal MOS had lower MCA-PI (P = 0.02) and CPR (P = 0.01) and higher UA-PI at the last measurement (P = 0.03) before birth. In infants with abnormal MOS, rcSO2 tended to be lower during the first 3 days after birth, and FTOE was significantly higher on the second day after birth (P = 0.04). Intraoperative and postoperative rcSO2 and FTOE were not associated with short-term neurological outcome.

CONCLUSION

In infants with prenatally diagnosed CHD, the prenatal period may play an important role in developmental outcome. Additional research is needed to clarify the relationship between preoperative, intra-operative and postoperative cerebral oxygenation and developmental outcome in infants with prenatally diagnosed CHD.

Correlates of Normal and Abnormal General Movements in Infancy and Long-Term Neurodevelopment of Preterm Infants: Insights from Functional Connectivity Studies at Term Equivalence

Preterm infants born before 32 weeks gestation have increased risks for neurodevelopmental impairment at two years of age. How brain function differs between preterm infants with normal or impaired development is unknown. However, abnormal spontaneous motor behavior at 12-15 weeks post-term age is associated with neurodevelopmental impairment. We imaged brain blood oxygen level-dependent signals at term-equivalent age in 62 infants born at <32 weeks gestation and explored whether resting state functional connectivity (rsFC) differed with performances on the General Movement Assessment (GMA) at 12-15 weeks, and Bayley III scores at two years of corrected age. Infants with aberrant general movements exhibited decreased rsFC between the basal ganglia and regions in parietal and frontotemporal lobes. Infants with normal Bayley III cognitive scores exhibited increased rsFC between the basal ganglia and association cortices in parietal and occipital lobes compared with cognitively impaired children. Infants with normal motor scores exhibited increased rsFC between the basal ganglia and visual cortices, compared with children with motor impairment. Thus, the presence of abnormal general movements is associated with region-specific differences in rsFC at term. The association of abnormal long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes with decreased rsFC between basal ganglia and sub-score specific cortical regions may provide biomarkers of neurodevelopmental trajectory and outcome.

The Predictive Accuracy of the General Movement Assessment for Cerebral Palsy: A Prospective, Observational Study of High-Risk Infants in a Clinical Follow-Up Setting

BACKGROUND

Early prediction of cerebral palsy (CP) using the General Movement Assessment (GMA) during the fidgety movements (FM) period has been recommended as standard of care in high-risk infants. The aim of this study was to determine the accuracy of GMA, alone or in combination with neonatal imaging, in predicting cerebral palsy (CP).

METHODS

Infants with increased risk of perinatal brain injury were prospectively enrolled from 2009-2014 in this multi-center, observational study. FM were classified by two certified GMA observers blinded to the clinical history. Abnormal GMA was defined as absent or sporadic FM. CP-status was determined by clinicians unaware of GMA results.

RESULTS

Of 450 infants enrolled, 405 had scorable video and follow-up data until at least 18-24 months. CP was confirmed in 42 (10.4%) children at mean age 3 years 1 month. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and accuracy of absent/sporadic FM for CP were 76.2, 82.4, 33.3, 96.8, and 81.7%, respectively. Only three (8.1%) of 37 infants with sporadic FM developed CP. The highest accuracy (95.3%) was achieved by a combination of absent FM and abnormal neonatal imaging.

CONCLUSION

In infants with a broad range of neonatal risk factors, accuracy of early CP prediction was lower for GMA than previously reported but increased when combined with neonatal imaging. Sporadic FM did not predict CP in this study.

Automated pose estimation captures key aspects of General Movements at eight to 17 weeks from conventional videos

AIM

General movement assessment requires substantial expertise for accurate visual interpretation. Our aim was to evaluate an automated pose estimation method, using conventional video records, to see if it could capture infant movements using objective biomarkers.

METHODS

We selected archived videos from 21 infants aged eight to 17 weeks who had taken part in studies at the IRCCS Fondazione Stella Maris (Italy), from 2011 to 2017. Of these, 14 presented with typical low-risk movements, while seven presented with atypical movements and were later diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Skeleton videos were produced using a computational pose estimation model adapted for infants and these were blindly assessed to see whether they contained the information needed for classification by human experts. Movements of skeletal key points were analysed using kinematic metrics to provide a biomarker to distinguish between groups.

RESULTS

The visual assessments of the skeleton videos were very accurate, with Cohen's K of 0.90 when compared with the classification of conventional videos. Quantitative analysis showed that arm movements were more variable in infants with typical movements.

CONCLUSION

It was possible to extract automated estimation of movement patterns from conventional video records and convert them to skeleton footage. This could allow quantitative analysis of existing footage.

Quantitative MRI study of infant regional brain size following surgery for long-gap esophageal atresia requiring prolonged critical care

INTRODUCTION

Little is known regarding the impact of concurrent critical illness and thoracic noncardiac perioperative critical care on postnatal brain development. Previously, we reported smaller total brain volumes in both critically ill full-term and premature patients following complex perioperative critical care for long-gap esophageal atresia (LGEA). Our current report assessed trends in regional brain sizes during infancy, and probed for any group differences.

METHODS

Full-term (n = 13) and preterm (n = 13) patients without any previously known neurological concerns, and control infants (n = 16), underwent non-sedated 3 T MRI in infancy (<1 year old). T2-weighted images underwent semi-automated brain segmentation using Morphologically Adaptive Neonatal Tissue Segmentation (MANTiS). Regional tissue volumes of the forebrain, deep gray matter (DGM), cerebellum, and brainstem are presented as absolute (cm3) and normalized (% total brain volume (%TBV)) values. Group differences were assessed using a general linear model univariate analysis with corrected age at scan as a covariate.

RESULTS

Absolute volumes of regions analyzed increased with advancing age, paralleling total brain size, but were significantly smaller in both full-term and premature patients compared to controls. Normalized volumes (%TBV) of forebrain, DGM, and cerebellum were not different between subject groups analyzed. Normalized brainstem volumes showed group differences that warrant future studies to confirm the same finding.

DISCUSSION

Both full-term and premature critically ill infants undergoing life-saving surgery for LGEA are at risk of smaller total and regional brain sizes. Normalized volumes support globally delayed or diminished brain growth in patients. Future research should look into neurodevelopmental outcomes of infants born with LGEA.

Motor and Postural Patterns Concomitant with General Movements Are Associated with Cerebral Palsy at Term and Fidgety Age in Preterm Infants

General movements (GMs) in combination with neurological examination and magnetic resonance imaging at term age can accurately determine the risk of cerebral palsy. The present study aimed to assess whether 11 motor and postural patterns concomitant with GMs were associated with cerebral palsy. Video recordings performed after birth in 79 preterm infants were reviewed retrospectively. Thirty-seven infants developed cerebral palsy at 2 years corrected age and the remaining 42 showed typical development. GMs were assessed from preterm to fidgety age and GM trajectories were defined. The 11 motor and postural patterns were evaluated at each age and longitudinally, alone and in combination with GM trajectories. A logistic regression model was used to assess the association between GMs, concomitant motor and postural patterns, and cerebral palsy. We confirmed that high-risk GM trajectories were associated with cerebral palsy (odds ratio = 44.40, 95% confidence interval = 11.74-167.85). An association between concomitant motor and postural patterns and cerebral palsy was found for some of the patterns at term age and for all of them at fidgety age. Therefore, at term age, concomitant motor and postural patterns can support GMs for the early diagnosis of cerebral palsy.

Iron Metabolism and Brain Development in Premature Infants

Iron is important for a remarkable array of essential functions during brain development, and it needs to be provided in adequate amounts, especially to preterm infants. In this review article, we provide an overview of iron metabolism and homeostasis at the cellular level, as well as its regulation at the mRNA translation level, and we emphasize the importance of iron for brain development in fetal and early life in preterm infants. We also review the risk factors for disrupted iron metabolism that lead to high risk of developing iron deficiency and subsequent adverse effects on neurodevelopment in preterm infants. At the other extreme, iron overload, which is usually caused by excess iron supplementation in iron-replete preterm infants, might negatively impact brain development or even induce brain injury. Maintaining the balance of iron during the fetal and neonatal periods is important, and thus iron status should be monitored routinely and evaluated thoroughly during the neonatal period or before discharge of preterm infants so that iron supplementation can be individualized.

The acute effects of physiotherapy on general movement patterns in preterm infants: A single-blind study

BACKGROUND

The General Movement Assessment (GMA) is a video analysis method developed by Heinz Prechtl that examines the infant's spontaneous movements. In recent years, although many studies have been performed in preterm infants by applying GMA, few studies have shown the effects of early intervention on GMA.

AIMS

Current study was planned to determine the acute effects of a single-session early physiotherapy approach on preterm infants' general spontaneous movements, and to reveal the change in Motor Optimality Scale (MOS) score including FMs.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective, single-blind study.

SUBJECTS

Current study was carried out with 32 preterm infants at postterm 12-16 weeks.

OUTCOME MEASURES

The infants included in the study were videotaped by a physiotherapist during 10-15 min before the physiotherapy session at postterm 12-16 weeks for GMA. After a single physiotherapy session, the same physiotherapist performed the same video footage second time. A blind evaluator assessed the videos taken before and after session and scored Motor Optimality Scale (MOS).

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

There was no statistically significant difference between MOS sub-category and total score of the infants before and after the session (p > 0.05). According to the results of present study, a single-session early physiotherapy intervention did not have an acute effect on the spontaneous movements of preterm infants at postterm 12-16 weeks. Future studies are needed to demonstrate the short and long-term effects of early physiotherapy approaches to risky infants.

Infant Brain Structural MRI Analysis in the Context of Thoracic Non-cardiac Surgery and Critical Care

Objective: To determine brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measures of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and whole brain volume of full-term and premature infants following surgical treatment for thoracic non-cardiac congenital anomalies requiring critical care. Methods: Full-term (n = 13) and pre-term (n = 13) patients with long-gap esophageal atresia, and full-term naïve controls (n = 19) < 1 year corrected age, underwent non-sedated brain MRI following completion of thoracic non-cardiac surgery and critical care treatment. Qualitative MRI findings were reviewed and reported by a pediatric neuroradiologist and neurologist. Several linear brain metrics were measured using structural T1-weighted images, while T2-weighted images were required for segmentation of total CSF and whole brain tissue using the Morphologically Adaptive Neonatal Tissue Segmentation (MANTiS) tool. Group differences in absolute (mm, cm³) and normalized (%) data were analyzed using a univariate general linear model with age at scan as a covariate. Mean normalized values were assessed using one-way ANOVA. Results: Qualitative brain findings suggest brain atrophy in both full-term and pre-term patients. Both linear and volumetric MRI analyses confirmed significantly greater total CSF and extra-axial space, and decreased whole brain size in both full-term and pre-term patients compared to naïve controls. Although linear analysis suggests greater ventricular volumes in all patients, volumetric analysis showed that normalized ventricular volumes were higher only in premature patients compared to controls. Discussion: Linear brain metrics paralleled volumetric MRI analysis of total CSF and extra-axial space, but not ventricular size. Full-term infants appear to demonstrate similar brain vulnerability in the context of life-saving thoracic non-cardiac surgery requiring critical care as premature infants.

Early neonatal morbidities and neurological functioning of preterm infants 2 weeks after birth

OBJECTIVE

To determine the association between potential neonatal risk factors and the quality of general movements (GMs) in preterm infants.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective cohort study in 67 preterm infants. From video recordings made on Days 8 and 15, we scored the GMs as normal/abnormal and detailed aspects using the general movement optimality score (GMOS). Risk factors included respiratory insufficiency requiring mechanical ventilation, patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), and abnormal blood glucose levels. We used multiple regression analyses.

RESULT

On Day 8 after birth, the presence of a PDA remained in the multivariable model, explaining 17.1% of the variance in GMOS (beta, -0.414). On Day 15, duration of mechanical ventilation and frequency of hypoglycemic episodes explained 38.8% of the variance (betas, -0.382 and -0.466, respectively).

CONCLUSION

In preterm infants, PDA, duration of mechanical ventilation, and frequency of hypoglycemic episodes were associated with poorer neurological functioning during the first 2 weeks after birth.

General movement assessment and motor optimality score in extremely preterm infants

Studies on general movement assessments (GMs) have included small numbers of extremely preterm (EP) infants. We determined the GMs and motor optimality score (MOS) of 40 EP infants. Poor repertoire at writhing age normalising to fidgety movements was the most common finding. MOS was lower than for published term infants.

Developmental outcome in a group of twins: Relation to perinatal factors and general movements

BACKGROUND

The quality of general movements (GMs) has proven to have predictive value for the developmental outcome, but this has not yet been studied in twins.

AIMS

Our aim was to analyse the quality of GMs and neurological and developmental outcome in relation to the gestational age (GA), mode of conception and other perinatal risk factors in a group of twins.

STUDY DESIGN

The documentation of twins referred for follow-up in the period from 1998 to 2016 was studied retrospectively. Data concerning the quality of GMs, perinatal risk factors and developmental outcome were analysed.

SUBJECTS

Eighty-nine twin pairs, GA from 24 to 38 weeks (median 35.0; IQR 3), birth weight 670 g-3820 g (median 2323; IQR 645) were included.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Results of neurological, psychological and speech/language development and school outcome were analysed.

RESULTS

GMs at term age and at three to four months postterm age did not differ with regard to the mode of conception. Preterm birth was significantly related to GMs at three to four months postterm age. At term age, GMs were significantly related to neurological outcome, while at three to four months postterm age, GMs were related to both the neurological and psychological outcome. Difficulties in speech/language development were diagnosed in almost half of the children, more frequently in boys and children with lower Apgar scores.

CONCLUSION

The study highlights the value of GMs for predicting the developmental outcome in twins and indicates the importance of developmental, especially speech/language, follow-up in twins.

Predictive validity of spontaneous early infant movement for later cerebral palsy: a systematic review

AIM

To systematically review the predictive validity of spontaneous early infant movements for later cerebral palsy (CP).

METHOD

Cohort studies with published data to calculate predictive validity of early spontaneous movements for later CP were searched in four electronic databases: CINAHL, Embase, MEDLINE, and PsycINFO.

RESULTS

Forty-seven studies met inclusion criteria. The Prechtl General Movements Assessment (GMA) during the fidgety period (10-20wks corrected age) had the strongest sensitivity: 97 per cent (95% confidence interval [CI] 93-99) and specificity: 89% (95% CI 83-93). The sensitivity and specificity of the Prechtl GMA during the writhing period (birth-6wks) was 93% (95% CI 86-96) and 59% (95% CI 45-71) respectively. Cramped-synchronized movements in the writhing period according to Prechtl had the best specificity (sensitivity: 70% [95% CI 54-82]; specificity: 97% [95% CI 74-100]). Hadders-Algra's method of assessing general movements had a pooled sensitivity and specificity of 89% (95% CI 66-97) and 81% (95% CI 64-91) respectively. Presence of asymmetric postures and movement quality/quantity were reported under the Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination, Hammersmith Neonatal Neurological Examination, and Movement Assessment of Infants but had weak associations with later CP.

INTERPRETATION

Fidgety movements assessed by the Prechtl GMA have the strongest predictive validity for later CP, but cannot be considered in isolation because of the presence of false positive results.

WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS

Fidgety general movements (Prechtl) are most predictive for later cerebral palsy compared with other spontaneous movements. False positive results are high among all spontaneous movement assessments.

[Developmental neurology - networked medicine and new perspectives]

Developmental neurology is one of the major areas of neuropediatrics and is among other things (legally) responsible for monitoring the motor, cognitive and psychosocial development of all infants using standardized monitoring investigations. The special focus is on infants born at risk and/or due to premature birth before 32 weeks of gestation or a birth weight less than 1500 g. Early diagnosis of deviations from normal, age-related development is a prerequisite for early interventions, which may positively influence development and the long-term biopsychosocial prognosis of the patients. This article illustrates the available methods in developmental neurology with a focus on recent developments. Particular attention is paid to the predictive value of general movements (GM). The current development of markerless automated detection of spontaneous movements using conventional depth imaging cameras is demonstrated. Differences in spontaneous movements in infants at the age of 12 weeks are illustrated and discussed exemplified by three patients (healthy versus genetic syndrome versus cerebral palsy).

Validity of the General Movement Optimality List in Infants Born Preterm

PURPOSE

To examine concurrent and predictive validity of the optimality list "Detailed Assessment of General Movements (GMs) During Preterm and Term Age."

METHODS

Video clips of general movements were analyzed for 20 infants born preterm without severe brain lesions. Concurrent validity of the optimality list compared with the General Movement Assessment (GMA) was examined. The General Movement Optimality Scores (GMOSs) between infants with normal and poor repertoire GMA were examined. Estimates of diagnostic accuracy were calculated.

RESULTS

The GMOS correlated with the GMA and differed between infants with normal and poor repertoire GMA. The area under the curve was below 0.53 with respect to normal or abnormal general movements at 3 months' corrected age.

CONCLUSIONS

Concurrent validity of the optimality list was moderate to high compared with the GMA, but its predictive validity for general movements at 3 months' corrected age was low.

The association between the early motor repertoire and language development in term children born after normal pregnancy

BACKGROUND

The assessment of the early motor repertoire is a widely used method for assessing the infant's neurological status.

AIM

To determine the association between the early motor repertoire and language development.

STUDY DESIGN

Prospective cohort study.

SUBJECTS

22 term children born after normal pregnancy; video recorded for the assessment of the early motor repertoire including their motor optimality score (MOS), according to Prechtl, at 3 and 5months post term.

OUTCOME MEASURES

At 4years 7months and 10years 5months, we tested the children's language performance by administering three tests for expressive language and two for receptive language.

RESULTS

Smooth and fluent movements at 3months of age was associated with better expressive language outcome at both 4years 7months and 10years 5months (betas 0.363 and 0.628). A higher MOS at 5months was associated with better expressive language at both ages (betas 0.486 and 0.628). The item postural patterns at 5months was the only aspect associated with poorer expressive language outcome (beta -0.677).

CONCLUSION

Predominantly, qualitative aspects of the early motor repertoire at the age of 3 and 5months are associated with language development.

The ontogeny of fidgety movements from 4 to 20weeks post-term age in healthy full-term infants

BACKGROUND

Fidgety movements (FMs) are an early accurate marker for normal development.

AIM

The study assessed the ontogeny of normal FMs from 4 to 20weeks post-term age (PTA).

STUDY DESIGN

Longitudinal prospective study of healthy full-term infants video recorded every second week from birth to 20weeks PTA.

SUBJECTS

21 full-term newborns were enrolled.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Temporal organization, amplitude, character, predominance in proximal and/or distal parts of the body and the presence of FMs in fingers and wrists were independently scored by three observers.

RESULTS

From 4 to 10weeks PTA, FMs were sporadic, becoming intermittent in 1-2weeks; they occurred in the proximal parts, with larger and jerkier movements in the following period. From 11 to 16weeks PTA FMs became smaller in amplitude and slower in speed, they were present in all body parts and were more continual than before. Rotational movements in wrists and ankles and finger movements with open hands appeared. From 17 to 20weeks PTA, FMs became more discontinuous and disappeared at 18-20weeks PTA.

CONCLUSIONS

Developmental course of FMs was seen between 4 and 20weeks PTA with changes in temporal organization, amplitude, speed and body parts involved. The best time for scoring FMs is between 12 and 16weeks PTA.

Early motor repertoire in very low birth weight infants in India is associated with motor development at one year

BACKGROUND

Most studies on Prechtl's method of assessing General Movements (GMA) in young infants originate in Europe.

AIM

To determine if motor behavior at an age of 3 months post term is associated with motor development at 12 months post age in VLBW infants in India.

METHODS

243 VLBW infants (135 boys, 108 girls; median gestational age 31wks, range 26-39wks) were video-recorded at a median age of 11wks post term (range 9-16wks). Certified and experienced observers assessed the videos by the "Assessment of Motor Repertoire - 2-5 Months". Fidgety movements (FMs) were classified as abnormal if absent, sporadic or exaggerated, and as normal if intermittently or continually present. The motor behaviour was evaluated by repertoire of co-existent other movements (age-adequacy) and concurrent motor repertoire. In addition, videos of 215 infants were analyzed by computer and the variability of the spatial center of motion (C_SD) was calculated. The Peabody Developmental Motor Scales was used to assess motor development at 12 months.

RESULTS

Abnormal FMs, reduced age adequacy, and an abnormal concurrent motor repertoire were significantly associated with lower Gross Motor and Total Motor Quotient (GMQ, TMQ) scores (p < 0.05). The C_SD was higher in children with TMQ scores <90 (-1SD) than in children with higher TMQ scores (p = 0.002).

CONCLUSION

Normal FMs (assessed by Gestalt perception) and a low variability of the spatial center of motion (assessed by computer-based video analysis) predicted higher Peabody scores in 12-month-old infants born in India with a very low birth weight.

Very low birth weight infants in China: the predictive value of the motor repertoire at 3 to 5months for the motor performance at 12months

BACKGROUND

Studies on motor performance and its early markers are rare in China, especially in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants.

OBJECTIVE

Apart from the assessment of the inter-scorer agreement, we aimed to analyze to what extent the motor repertoire at 10 to 18weeks postterm was related to neonatal complications, and gross and fine motor performance at 12months after term.

STUDY DESIGN

Exploratory prospective study.

SUBJECTS

Seventy-four VLBW infants (58 males; mean gestational age=29weeks; mean birth weight=1252g).

METHOD

Five-minute video recordings were performed at 10 to 18weeks after term; fidgety movements and the concurrent motor patterns (resulting in a motor optimality score) were assessed according to the Prechtl general movements assessment (GMA). The gross and fine motor performance was assessed by means of the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales, second edition, at 12months.

RESULTS

Reliability was excellent. Pneumonia was associated with absent fidgety movements; the motor optimality score was lower in infants with pneumonia and/or bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Both absent fidgety movements and a lower motor optimality score were associated with a poor or very poor gross and fine motor performance at the 12-month-assessment.

CONCLUSION

Both the assessment of fidgety movements and the evaluation of the concurrent motor repertoire contribute significantly to an identification of VLBW children with a poor gross and fine motor outcome at 12months. The results of this study document the need for an early identification of infants at high risk for a poor motor performance.