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Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Effect of muscle mass on neuropsychomotor development in newborns: A comparative analysis between preterm and
Carolina Cristina Dos Santos Camargo1, Débora Nunes Prata Anjos1, Etiene Farah Teixeira de Carvalho2
1Ibirapuera University, São Paulo, Brazil.
Insights
Skeletal muscle size significantly impacts motor performance in newborns. Larger muscle size in both preterm and full-term infants correlates with better motor skills, highlighting muscle development
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Development
- Pediatric Neurology
- Musculoskeletal Ultrasound
Background:
- Premature birth impacts multiple systems during critical development, increasing risks for neurodevelopmental impairment and other health issues.
- Preterm newborns often experience delayed postnatal growth, which can affect long-term health outcomes.
- Lean mass disproportion in early life is linked to significant long-term health consequences.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between skeletal muscle size and quality and motor performance in preterm versus full-term newborns.
- To assess how muscle characteristics influence neurodevelopmental outcomes in infants.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 94 newborns, divided into preterm (PTNB) and full-term (FTNB) groups.
- Kinesiological ultrasound was used to measure skeletal muscle thickness, cross-sectional area, and pennation angle of key limb muscles.
- Neuropsychomotor performance was assessed using the Test of Infant Motor Performance (TIMP) scale.
Main Results:
- In full-term infants, lower limb muscle size correlated with TIMP scores.
- In preterm infants, both lower and upper limb muscle size influenced TIMP scores.
- Preterm infants showed lower anthropometric measurements and delayed motor development (lower TIMP scores and Z-scores).
Conclusions:
- Skeletal muscle size is a significant factor influencing motor performance in newborns, beyond the effects of prematurity itself.
- These findings underscore the importance of monitoring and supporting muscle development in preterm infants for optimal neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Introduction:
Premature birth leads to structural and functional remodeling of multiple systems during a critical developmental period. There is an inversely proportional relationship between gestational age and the risk of neurodevelopmental impairment, as well as cardiovascular, metabolic, and respiratory diseases. Premature newborns exhibit delayed postnatal growth in the initial weeks of extrauterine life. Recent studies have shown that a period of rapid growth can significantly impact long-term health, with the disproportionate growth of lean mass being a contributing factor.
Objective:
This study aims to correlate and assess the effect of skeletal muscle size and quality on motor performance in preterm newborns compared to full-term infants.
Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted at the neonatal unit of a public hospital. Ninety-four newborns were evaluated and divided into two groups: preterm newborns (PTNB, n = 47) and full-term newborns (FTNB, n = 47). Skeletal muscle thickness, cross-sectional area, and pennation angle of the rectus femoris, tibialis anterior, and biceps brachii were assessed using kinesiological ultrasound. Neuropsychomotor performance was evaluated using the Test of Infant Motor Performance (TIMP) scale.
Results:
In the FTNB group, the size of the lower limb muscles was significantly correlated with the TIMP score. In contrast, in the PTNB group, the size of both lower and upper limb muscles influenced the TIMP score. The PTNB group exhibited lower anthropometric measurements and showed delayed neuropsychomotor development as indicated by lower TIMP scores and Z-scores.
Conclusion:
These findings demonstrate that, in addition to prematurity, skeletal muscle size plays a significant role in influencing motor performance in newborns.
