General movements in the first fourteen days of life in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the quality of general movements (GMs) in the first fourteen days of life in relation to obstetric and postnatal risk factors and neurodevelopmental outcome in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants. STUDY DESIGN: The GMs of nineteen infants were assessed on days 2, 4, 6, 10 and 14 with Prechtl's method. Additionally, detailed GM assessment produced optimality scores (OSs). GMs and the OSs were related to obstetric and postnatal data and to neurodevelopmental outcome at 18 months. RESULTS: GMs and OSs fluctuated substantially during the first fourteen days of life. Most infants had abnormal GMs, especially poor repertoire (PR) GMs. No relation was found between GMs and obstetric factors. Regarding postnatal factors, septicaemia correlated to hypokinesia (H) and artificial ventilation correlated to a lower OS. CONCLUSIONS: Due to physiological disturbances the quality of GM in ELBW infants fluctuates substantially during the first fourteen days of life. Abnormal GMs, especially PR GMs, are mostly seen for the same reason. Septicaemia and artificial ventilation are associated with deterioration of the GMs (lower OSs), and in case of septicaemia also with hypokinesia.

Screening infants with an isolated single umbilical artery for renal anomalies: nonsense?

BACKGROUND: Presently there is no consensus regarding the extent of workup required in newborns who present with an isolated single umbilical artery (SUA). Because of the association with silent renal anomalies, some studies advise to perform renal ultrasonography in infants born with an isolated SUA. AIMS: To decide whether screening (performing a renal ultrasound and in case of abnormalities on the ultrasound performing a micturating cystourethrogram) infants with an isolated SUA is justified by evaluating the prevalence of clinically relevant renal abnormalities. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective descriptive study. SUBJECTS: Live-born infants with SUA detected by physical examination born between January 1st, 1997 and February 1st, 2005, in a tertiary care university hospital. OUTCOME MEASURES: Renal anomalies detected by renal ultrasonography and a micturating cystourethrogram in infants with abnormalities on renal ultrasound. RESULTS: We included 52 live-born infants with an isolated SUA. Renal ultrasonography was performed in 92.3% of these 52 infants. In this group, abnormalities were found in 5 infants (10.4 %) on renal ultrasound. A relative subpelvine stenosis was detected in 1 infant, the other abnormalities on renal ultrasound were mild hydronephrosis without further consequences. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that it is not necessary to screen for renal anomalies in infants with a single umbilical artery without other anomalies seen at physical examination.

Placental pathology and neurological morbidity in preterm infants during the first two weeks after birth.

BACKGROUND: The placenta plays a crucial role during pregnancy and dysfunction causes long-term neurological problems. Identifying placenta-related risks for neurological problems shortly after birth may provide clues for early interventions aiming to improve neurological outcome. OBJECTIVE: To determine the association between placental pathology and neurological morbidity in preterm infants during the first two weeks after birth. STUDY DESIGN: Placentas of 52 singleton, preterm infants (GA: 25-31weeks, BW: 560-2250 grammes) were examined for histopathology. The infants' neurological condition shortly after birth was determined by assessing the quality of their general movements (GMs): normal, abnormal, or hypokinetic, on days 5, 8, and 15. A motor optimality score (MOS) was also assigned. RESULTS: Examination of the placentas revealed maternal vascular underperfusion (n=29), ascending intrauterine infection (AIUI) (n=19), villitis of unknown aetiology (n=6), chronic deciduitis (n=11), foetal thrombotic vasculopathy (FTV) (n=9), and elevated nucleated red blood cells (NRBCs) as a marker for foetal hypoxia (n=7). None of the placental lesions were significantly associated with the quality of GMs or MOS. CONCLUSIONS: This study indicated that placental lesions were not associated with infants' neurological condition as measured by the quality of their general movements during the first two weeks after birth.

The quality of general movements in the first ten days of life in preterm infants.

BACKGROUND: The assessment of the quality of general movements (GMs) in preterm infants early in life has been used mainly to determine temporary or permanent neurological dysfunction and not to predict outcome. AIM: Assessing the quality and evolution of GMs during the first ten days of life in preterm infants, and relating them to clinical factors and neurological outcome at 24months' post-term. METHODS: Using Prechtl's method, the GM quality was assessed in 45 preterm infants on days 2, 4, 6 and 10. They were related to clinical factors and outcome. After GM assessment, an extra item was scored: chaotic features (ChF). ChF was defined as chaotic GMs or poor repertoire GMs+chaotic movements. RESULTS: Abnormal GMs were seen mostly in early recordings. A better GM trajectory correlated with a higher birth weight, a higher gestational age and a lower Nursery Neurobiologic Risk Score (NBRS). Predictive value for normal outcome of at least one normal GM was 94%. Predictive value for abnormal outcome of only abnormal GMs was 21%. ChF were seen mostly in early recordings. Occurrence of ChF on day 2 correlated with lower serum calcium. CONCLUSIONS: Preterm infants often showed abnormal GMs during the first few days. This was related mostly to a higher NBRS. Normalization of GMs during the first ten days was associated with a lower NBRS and was a reliable predictor for neurological outcome. ChFs could be a GM quality that is associated to lower calcium, indicating hyperexcitability of the nervous system.