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Human fetal and neonatal movement patterns: Gender differences and fetal-to-neonatal continuity
C R Almli1, R H Ball, M E Wheeler
1Department of Neurology, Center for the Study of Nervous System Injury, Experimental Neonatal Brain Disorders Center, Washington University Medical School, 4444 Forest Park Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63108, USA. almlir@msnotes.wustl.edu
Insights
Human fetal and neonatal leg movements change over time, with males showing more movements than females. These findings highlight sex-based differences in early neurobehavioral development.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Biology
- Human Physiology
Background:
- Understanding fetal and neonatal neurobehavioral development is crucial for assessing infant well-being.
- Leg movements are a key indicator of fetal and neonatal activity and development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To longitudinally quantify leg movements per minute in human fetuses and neonates.
- To investigate sex-based differences in fetal and neonatal leg movement patterns.
- To examine the continuity of leg movement patterns from the fetal to the neonatal period.
Main Methods:
- Videotaping of human subjects during antenatal (ultrasonography at 30, 34, 37 weeks gestational age) and postnatal (birth, 6 weeks of age) periods.
- Quantification of leg movements per minute.
- Comparison of movement data between sexes and across developmental stages.
Main Results:
- Leg movements per minute decreased during antenatal development (30-37 weeks) and increased postnatally (birth-6 weeks).
- Male subjects exhibited more leg movements per minute than female subjects throughout development.
- A continuity in leg movements was observed from 37 weeks gestation to sleep states at birth, with females showing a distinct pattern.
Conclusions:
- There is a differential neurobehavioral developmental trajectory between male and female fetuses/neonates.
- Leg movement quantification provides insights into fetal neurobehavioral development and well-being.
- Findings have implications for clinical assessments of fetal development.
Abstract:
Longitudinal quantification of leg movements per minute for human subjects during both fetal and neonatal periods was accomplished from videotapings conducted antenatally (ultrasonography 30, 34, and 37 weeks gestational age) and postnatally (birth and 6 weeks of age). Fetal/neonatal subjects displayed decreasing numbers of leg movements per minute during antenatal development (30 to 37 weeks), followed by increasing numbers of leg movements per minute during postnatal development (birth to 6 weeks of age). Male subjects displayed greater numbers of leg movements per minute than female subjects during both antenatal and postnatal development. Fetal-to-neonatal continuity for numbers of leg movements per minute was found for comparisons between fetal (37 weeks gestational age) and neonatal (during sleep states at birth) measures, and females displayed a stronger and different movement continuity pattern than males. These results indicate a differential time course for neurobehavioral development of male and female fetuses/neonates, and the findings have implications for the clinical assessment of fetal neurobehavioral development and well-being.