Minor neurological dysfunction after the onset of puberty: association with perinatal events

Area of Science:

• Developmental Neuroscience
• Pediatric Neurology
• Perinatal Medicine

Background:

• Minor neurological dysfunction (MND) is a subtle neurodevelopmental condition.
• The relationship between puberty and the resolution of MND requires further investigation.
• Understanding the long-term impact of perinatal factors on neurodevelopment is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To test the hypothesis that puberty is associated with a decrease in minor neurological dysfunction (MND).
• To investigate whether persisting MND in adolescence is associated with perinatal factors.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal follow-up of 174 normal and 172 MND children from the Groningen Perinatal Project.
• Assessment at 12 to 14 years, with puberty defined by the presence of three or more signs.
• Analysis of specific MND clusters and their association with perinatal and neonatal factors.

Main Results:

• At 14 years, 55% of children in the MND group showed resolution of signs, while 45% still exhibited milder forms, particularly those newly entering puberty.
• Pubertal effects on MND were consistent across both sexes.
• Persistent MND was associated with neonatal neurological deviancy, lower social class, lower obstetrical optimality score, and male sex.

Conclusions:

• Puberty plays a role in the resolution of minor neurological dysfunction.
• Specific types of persistent MND in puberty are linked to adverse perinatal events and neonatal neurological status.
• Fine motor deficits correlate with neonatal deviancy and social class; choreiform dyskinesia with asphyxia; hypotonia with constitutional factors; and coordination issues with prematurity.