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General movements in early infancy predict neuromotor development at 9 to 12 years of age

Sabina E Groen1, Alida C E de Blécourt, Klaas Postema

  • 1Centre of Rehabilitation, University Medical Center, University of Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.

Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology
|October 18, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Assessing general movements (GMs) in infancy, particularly fidgety GMs, can predict minor neurological dysfunction (MND) in children. Abnormal fidgety GMs correlate with coordination and fine motor issues later in life.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental neuroscience
  • Pediatric neurology
  • Movement analysis

Background:

  • General movements (GMs) assessment in infancy is crucial for predicting cerebral palsy (CP).
  • The predictive value of GMs for minor neurological dysfunction (MND) requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To explore the utility of GM assessment in predicting MND at 9 to 12 years of age.
  • To determine if infant GM quality relates to long-term neurological outcomes beyond CP.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective study of low-risk and high-risk infants.
  • Assessment of general movements (GMs) quality at 'writhing' and 'fidgety' GM periods.
  • Follow-up neurological assessment at 9 to 12 years for children without CP.

Main Results:

  • GM quality at 'fidgety age' correlated with neurological condition (MND) at follow-up (rho=0.46, p<0.01).
  • Abnormal fidgety GMs specifically predicted coordination problems (chi2=6.1, p=0.01) and fine manipulative disability (p<0.05).

Conclusions:

  • Infant GM quality, especially during the fidgety period, provides valuable information on the integrity of supraspinal pathways.
  • GM assessment can predict subtle neurological deficits, including MND, in later childhood.

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