Perinatal risk factors and neuromotor behaviour during the neonatal period

Preterm birth is associated with an increased risk for neurological handicaps. The purpose of the present study has been: to investigate the influence of perinatal risk factors on early neuromotor development during the neonatal period; to specify the neuromotor parameters particularly sensitive to perinatal complications; and to analyse whether the infant's age at test influences the results. Beside examination of passive/active muscle tone and automatic movements (22 parameters) was performed at 36 (101 infants) and 40 (153 infants) gestational weeks. Low birthweight and long treatment on a ventilator had a negative influence on the neuromotor behaviour at 36 weeks' gestation and white matter disturbances strongly affected the neuromotor parameters at 40 weeks. The development of rooting, sucking, swallowing and arm recoil after long-lasting ventilator treatment was affected by several neonatal risk factors. The development of passive muscle tone and several parameters measuring active muscle tone demonstrated individual consistency between tests, i.e. an infant's rank at 36 weeks' gestation was unchanged 4 weeks later, and some other parameters were not as consistent. The present study shows that several perinatal risk factors influence neuromotor behaviour already during the neonatal period. In addition, the present study provides data on the neuromotor behaviour during the neonatal period that will be related to later neurodevelopmental examinations in order to evaluate the prognostic value of testing neuromotor development.