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

Maria Örtqvist1, Christa Einspieler2, Ulrika Ådén3

  • 1Neonatal Research Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden. maria.ortqvist@ki.se.

Pediatric Research
|May 11, 2021
PubMed

Insights

General Movement Assessment (GMA) and Motor Optimality Score-Revised (MOS-R) at 3 months corrected age accurately predict adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes at 12 years in extremely preterm infants.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Movement Science

Background:

  • Extremely preterm (EPT) birth is a significant risk factor for neurodevelopmental impairments.
  • Early identification of potential long-term neurodevelopmental issues is crucial for timely intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • 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).
  • To assess the prediction of adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes at 12 years of age in EPT infants.

Main Methods:

  • GMA and MOS-R were administered at 3 months CA to 53 EPT infants (mean GA 25 weeks).
  • Neurodevelopmental outcomes were assessed at 12 years using Touwen's neurological examination, Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2, and chart reviews.
  • Statistical analysis compared outcomes between groups and calculated predictive values.

Main Results:

  • Of 42 children followed up, 62% had adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes.
  • The MOS-R scores differed significantly between outcome groups (p=0.007).
  • GMA and MOS-R demonstrated high positive predictive values (1.00 and 0.77, respectively) and specificity (1.00 and 0.77) for adverse outcomes.

Conclusions:

  • Prechtl GMA, including MOS-R, effectively predicts overall adverse neurodevelopment at 12 years in EPT children.
  • Aberrant general movements with a MOS < 21 at 3 months CA indicates increased risk for adverse neurodevelopment.
  • GMA with MOS-R is recommended as a key component of neurological assessment for EPT infants at 3 months CA.
Abstract

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