Predictive Value of the Early Spontaneous Movements for Preterm Infants' Neurodevelopmental Outcome at 12 Months'

Ayse Yildiz1, Ramazan Yildiz1, Umut Apaydin2

  • 1Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Erzurum Technical University, Erzurum, Turkey.

Brain and Behavior
|May 19, 2025
PubMed

Insights

The Motor Optimality Score-Revised (MOS-R) effectively predicts motor, cognitive, and language development in preterm infants. This early assessment tool shows high accuracy, aiding in early intervention for developmental challenges.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Neonatology
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Preterm infants are at risk for motor, cognitive, behavioral, and sensory deficits.
  • The predictive role of early spontaneous movements in development requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the Motor Optimality Score-Revised (MOS-R) for predicting motor, cognitive, language, and sensory outcomes in preterm infants.
  • To evaluate the MOS-R's effectiveness in early developmental screening.

Main Methods:

  • Forty preterm infants were assessed using the General Movement Assessment (GMA) to obtain MOS-R scores.
  • Developmental outcomes were evaluated at 12 corrected months using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition (Bayley-III) and the Test of Sensory Functions in Infants (TSFI).

Main Results:

  • The MOS-R demonstrated high sensitivity (80-86.7%) and specificity (71.4-100%) in predicting motor, cognitive, and language development.
  • A significant proportion of infants (77.5%) exhibited typical fidgety movements.
  • The MOS-R did not predict sensory development outcomes (p > 0.05).

Conclusions:

  • The MOS-R is a valuable tool for predicting motor, cognitive, and language development in preterm infants at 12 corrected months.
  • Early detection of developmental trajectories using MOS-R can inform timely interventions.
Abstract