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Can general movements trajectories predict neurodevelopment as early as six months corrected age in very preterm

Isadora Beghetti1, Sofia Spinedi2, Luigi Corvaglia1

  • 1Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy; Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, IRCCS AOUBO, Bologna, Italy.

Early Human Development
|May 11, 2025
PubMed

Insights

General Movements (GMs) assessed at term equivalent age predict motor delay in preterm infants by 6 months corrected age. Other developmental delays were not reliably predicted by the studied variables.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatology
  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Neurology

Background:

  • Preterm infants face risks of neurodevelopmental delays.
  • Early prediction of these delays is crucial for timely intervention.
  • General Movements (GMs) and Hammersmith Neurological Examination (HNE) are potential early markers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if prenatal/postnatal variables, GMs, and HNE predict developmental delay at 6 months corrected age in preterm infants.
  • To identify reliable predictors for motor, cognitive, and language development.
  • To evaluate the predictive value of GMs and HNE at different time points.

Main Methods:

  • Ninety-eight preterm infants (<32 weeks GA or <1500g) were followed until 6 months corrected age.
  • Neurodevelopment assessed using Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition (BSID-III).
  • Evaluated associations between clinical variables, GMs (term equivalent age, fidgety period), HNE (term equivalent age, 3 months CA), and developmental outcomes using statistical analyses.

Main Results:

  • General Movements (GMs) anomalies at term equivalent age significantly predicted increased risk of motor delay at 6 months corrected age.
  • The presence of pathological fidgety movements did not alter the predictive value of GMs anomalies.
  • While GMs were associated with cognitive and language delays, they were not predictive in multivariate analysis.

Conclusions:

  • General Movements (GMs) assessed at specific time points and their trajectories predict early motor delay in preterm infants by 6 months corrected age.
  • Further research is needed for standardized longitudinal neurodevelopmental assessment protocols.
  • Investigating GMs trajectories alongside other predictors is essential for comprehensive early detection.
Abstract

Keywords:
General movementsNeurodevelopmental outcomeVery low birth weight infantsVery preterm infants

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