Preterm and term-equivalent age general movements and 1-year neurodevelopmental outcomes for infants born before 30 weeks' gestation.

AIM: To examine the associations between Prechtl's General Movements Assessment (GMA), conducted from birth to term-equivalent age, and neurodevelopmental outcomes at 12 months corrected age, in infants born very preterm. METHOD: One hundred and thirty-seven infants born before 30 weeks' gestation had serial GMA (categorized as 'normal' or 'abnormal') before term and at term-equivalent age. At 12 months corrected age, neurodevelopment was assessed using the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS); Neurological, Sensory, Motor, Developmental Assessment (NSMDA); and Touwen Infant Neurological Examination (TINE). The relationships between GMA at four time points and 12-month neurodevelopmental assessments were examined using regression models. RESULTS: Abnormal GMA at all time points were associated with worse continuous scores on the AIMS, NSMDA, and TINE (p<0.05). Abnormal GMA before term and at term-equivalent age were associated with increased odds of mild-severe dysfunction on the NSMDA (odds ratio [OR] 4.26, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.55-11.71, p<0.01; and OR 4.16, 95% CI 1.55-11.17, p<0.01 respectively) and abnormal GMA before term with increased odds of suboptimal-abnormal motor function on the TINE (OR 2.75, 95% CI 1.10-6.85, p=0.03). INTERPRETATION: Abnormal GMA before term and at term-equivalent age were associated with worse neurodevelopment at 12 months corrected age in children born very preterm. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS: Abnormal general movements before term predict developmental deficits at 1 year in infants born very preterm. General Movements Assessment before term identifies at-risk infants born very preterm.

Neurobehaviour between birth and 40 weeks' gestation in infants born <30 weeks' gestation and parental psychological wellbeing: predictors of brain development and child outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Infants born <30 weeks' gestation are at increased risk of long term neurodevelopmental problems compared with term born peers. The predictive value of neurobehavioural examinations at term equivalent age in very preterm infants has been reported for subsequent impairment. Yet there is little knowledge surrounding earlier neurobehavioural development in preterm infants prior to term equivalent age, and how it relates to perinatal factors, cerebral structure, and later developmental outcomes. In addition, maternal psychological wellbeing has been associated with child development. Given the high rate of psychological distress reported by parents of preterm children, it is vital we understand maternal and paternal wellbeing in the early weeks and months after preterm birth and how this influences the parent-child relationship and children's outcomes. Therefore this study aims to examine how 1) early neurobehaviour and 2) parental mental health relate to developmental outcomes for infants born preterm compared with infants born at term. METHODS/DESIGN: This prospective cohort study will describe the neurobehaviour of 150 infants born at <30 weeks' gestational age from birth to term equivalent age, and explore how early neurobehavioural deficits relate to brain growth or injury determined by magnetic resonance imaging, perinatal factors, parental mental health and later developmental outcomes measured using standardised assessment tools at term, one and two years' corrected age. A control group of 150 healthy term-born infants will also be recruited for comparison of outcomes. To examine the effects of parental mental health on developmental outcomes, both parents of preterm and term-born infants will complete standardised questionnaires related to symptoms of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress at regular intervals from the first week of their child's birth until their child's second birthday. The parent-child relationship will be assessed at one and two years' corrected age. DISCUSSION: Detailing the trajectory of infant neurobehaviour and parental psychological distress following very preterm birth is important not only to identify infants most at risk, further understand the parental experience and highlight potential times for intervention for the infant and/or parent, but also to gain insight into the effect this has on parent-child interaction and child development.

Long term follow up of high risk children: who, why and how?

BACKGROUND: Most babies are born healthy and grow and develop normally through childhood. There are, however, clearly identifiable high-risk groups of survivors, such as those born preterm or with ill-health, who are destined to have higher than expected rates of health or developmental problems, and for whom more structured and specialised follow-up programs are warranted. DISCUSSION: This paper presents the results of a two-day workshop held in Melbourne, Australia, to discuss neonatal populations in need of more structured follow-up and why, in addition to how, such a follow-up programme might be structured. Issues discussed included the ages of follow-up, and the personnel and assessment tools that might be required. Challenges for translating results into both clinical practice and research were identified. Further issues covered included information sharing, best practice for families and research gaps. SUMMARY: A substantial minority of high-risk children has long-term medical, developmental and psychological adverse outcomes and will consume extensive health and education services as they grow older. Early intervention to prevent adverse outcomes and the effective integration of services once problems are identified may reduce the prevalence and severity of certain outcomes, and will contribute to an efficient and effective use of health resources. The shared long-term goal for families and professionals is to work toward ensuring that high risk children maximise their potential and become productive and valued members of society.

Assessments of sensory processing in infants: a systematic review.

AIM: The aim of the study was to evaluate the psychometric properties and clinical use of assessments of sensory processing function, within the first 2 years of life, and to identify which assessment is the most appropriate and precise in measuring the construct of sensory processing. METHOD: The literature was comprehensively searched, and assessments used to measure sensory processing in infancy were systematically selected and reviewed for clinical use, reliability, validity, and responsiveness. RESULTS: Thirty-four assessments were identified; three met the predefined inclusion criteria. All discriminative assessments, the Sensory Rating Scale, and Infant/Toddler Sensory Profile are parent-reported questionnaires and can be administered from birth up to 3 years of age. The Test of Sensory Function in Infants is a performance-based assessment and is suitable for infants aged 4 to 18 months. Studies evaluating the psychometric properties of these three assessments differed in the properties addressed and reported poor to adequate reliability. INTERPRETATION: Selecting the most appropriate and precise assessment to measure sensory processing function in infancy will depend on the specific components of sensory processing that need to be evaluated, infant age, and what other sources of information are available about the infant's development.

Neurobehavior at term and white and gray matter abnormalities in very preterm infants.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between very preterm infant neurobehavior at term and concurrent magnetic resonance-defined cerebral abnormalities. STUDY DESIGN: 168 very preterm infants (birth weight <1250 g or gestation <30 weeks) were examined at term with 2 standardized neurobehavioral assessments, the Revised Hammersmith Neonatal Neurological Examination and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Network Neurobehavioral Scale. The relationship between composite neurobehavioral scores and qualitative white and gray matter abnormalities on magnetic resonance imaging was determined. RESULTS: Poorer neurobehavioral performance related to magnetic resonance-defined cerebral abnormalities. Composite neurobehavioral scores related to the total grade of white matter abnormality, and worse neurobehavior related most strongly to 2 components of this grade: white matter signal abnormalities and reduction in white matter volumes. Neurobehavior was not related to the total grade of gray matter abnormality. However, delayed gyral maturation, a component of the total gray matter grade, was related to poorer performance on both neurobehavioral scales. CONCLUSION: Very preterm infant neurobehavior at term is related to concurrent cerebral abnormalities in both white and gray matter defined by qualitative magnetic resonance imaging.

Rates of early intervention services in very preterm children with developmental disabilities at age 2 years.

AIM: Preterm birth is increasing in prevalence and long-term follow-up studies have documented high rates of neurosensory, intellectual, academic and behavioural disabilities. The importance of early intervention (EI) is well recognised but significant barriers to receiving EI exist in the community. This study explores the association of levels of disability at age 2 years with EI services and social risk in a large cohort of very preterm children. METHODS: This was a cohort study of 236 very preterm (gestational age < 30 weeks or birthweight < 1250 g) infants recruited at birth. Children were assessed comprehensively at age 2 years, and EI and social risk data were gathered via parental questionnaire. Disability levels were assigned as none, mild, or moderate to severe. The relationships of disability level to EI services and social risk were determined. RESULTS: Of the initial cohort, data from 227 (97%) were available at age 2 years. Overall, 50.7% (115/227) of children had some disability. A significant difference was present (P < 0.001) between the rates of EI and disability, with only 27.9% of children with a mild disability receiving EI services compared with 51.1% of children with a moderate to severe disability. After adjustment for level of disability, those of higher social risk were less likely to receive EI services (odds ratio 0.25; 95% confidence interval 0.11-0.56; P = 001). CONCLUSIONS: Currently available follow-up, referral and EI services underserve the most vulnerable children in our community, those with a combination of biological and social risk factors for developmental disabilities.

Neurobehaviour and neurological development in the first month after birth for infants born between 32-42 weeks' gestation.

AIMS: The objective of this study was to generate reference values for infants born moderate preterm (MPT), late preterm (LPT) and full term (FT) for three newborn neurobehavioural/neurological examinations in the first weeks after birth. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study to examine the expected range of values for MPT (born 32(+0) to 33(+6)), LPT (34(+0) to 36(+6)) and FT (born 37 to 42weeks' gestation) infants' performance on the Hammersmith Neonatal Neurological Examination (HNNE), the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Network Neurobehavioural Scale (NNNS) and Prechtl's General Movements Assessment (GMA) in the first weeks after birth. Further, to determine the effects of sex, gestational age at birth, and postmenstrual age at assessment on the 3 different assessments within the gestational age groups. SUBJECTS: 80 MPT, 129 LPT and 201 FT infants were recruited shortly after birth from a tertiary hospital. RESULTS: The means, standard deviations and 5th, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th and 95th centiles are presented for the HNNE and NNNS for each of the three gestational age groups. Overall, FT infants performed better than MPT and LPT infants. The rate of normal GMA within the first few weeks after birth was 25% for MPT, 32% for LPT, and 90% for FT infants. The effects of sex, gestational age at birth, and postmenstrual age at assessment varied between test and gestational age groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides normative data for the HNNE, NNNS, and GMA administered within the first weeks after birth in a sample of MPT, LPT and healthy FT infants.

Early general movements and brain magnetic resonance imaging at term-equivalent age in infants born <30weeks' gestation.

BACKGROUND: Neurodevelopmental assessments and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at term-equivalent age (TEA) predict developmental outcomes in preterm infants. However, the relationship between neurodevelopment prior to term and cerebral structure is currently unknown. AIMS: To examine the relationships between General Movements (GMs) assessed from birth to TEA and brain MRI at TEA in infants born <30weeks' gestation. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. GMs (categorised as 'normal' or 'abnormal') were recorded weekly from birth to 32weeks, and at 34 and 36weeks' postmenstrual age. At TEA, GMs were assessed concurrently with brain MRI (using a validated scoring system). SUBJECTS: 149 infants born <30weeks' gestation were recruited from a tertiary hospital. RESULTS: 103 infants had MRI at TEA and GMs recorded. Abnormal GMs prior to term were associated with cortical grey matter abnormality (p<0.03), deep grey matter abnormality (p=0.02) and increased interhemispheric distance (p<0.02). Abnormal GMs at TEA (n=55/90) were associated with more global brain abnormality (p<0.01) and cortical grey matter abnormality (p=0.01), and decreased transcerebellar diameter (p=0.04) on concurrent brain MRI. CONCLUSIONS: Abnormal GMs both prior to term and at TEA were associated with more marked brain abnormality, and smaller brains at TEA. Abnormal GMs are an early marker of brain abnormalities in very preterm infants.

Trajectories of general movements from birth to term-equivalent age in infants born <30 weeks' gestation.

BACKGROUND: General movements (GMs) is an assessment with good predictive validity for neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants. However, there is limited information describing the early GMs of very preterm infants, particularly prior to term. AIMS: To describe the early GMs trajectory of very preterm infants (born <30weeks' gestation) from birth to term-equivalent age, and to assess the influence of known perinatal risk factors on GMs. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study. SUBJECTS: 149 very preterm infants born <30weeks' gestation. OUTCOME MEASURES: GMs were recorded weekly from birth until 32weeks' postmenstrual age, and then fortnightly until 38weeks' postmenstrual age. GMs were also assessed at term-equivalent age. Detailed perinatal data were collected. RESULTS: Of 669 GMs assessed, 551 were preterm and 118 were at term-equivalent age. Prior to term, 15% (n=82) of GMs were normal and 85% (n=469) were abnormal, with the proportion of abnormal GMs decreasing with increasing postmenstrual age (p for trend <0.001). By term-equivalent 30% (n=35) of GMs were normal. On univariable analysis, lower gestational age (p<0.001), postnatal infection (p<0.001) and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (p=0.001) were associated with abnormal GMs. Postnatal infection was the only independent perinatal association with abnormal GMs on multivariable analysis. All four infants with grade III/IV intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) had persistently abnormal GMs. CONCLUSIONS: GMs were predominantly abnormal in very preterm infants, with a higher proportion of normal GMs at term-equivalent age than prior to term. Abnormal GMs were associated with postnatal infection and IVH.

Neurobehavioral evaluation in the preterm and term infant.

Neurobehavioral examinations of babies, both term and preterm, have been used in neonatology for many decades. However, with the advent of new technologies and, perhaps more "scientific" ways of assessing high risk infants, it seems that neurobehavioral examinations may have become somewhat redundant in some nurseries. Yet these examinations remain an important part of clinical practice. They help to increase our understanding of an infant's behavior, including their strengths and vulnerabilities, thus enabling us to adjust our care and parent education accordingly. These examinations also assist us to identify those most at risk of developmental disabilities, enabling further assessment and intervention to be considered as early as possible. Whilst it remains a challenge to try and quantify neonatal neurobehavior, there are numerous tools available that can greatly assist us. This review did not find a tool that served all populations and all assessment purposes. Consequently, the clinician or researcher needs to choose the appropriate assessment depending on matters such as the infant's gestation and the assessment's goal and training requirements. Further research is needed to develop neurobehavioral assessment tools, particularly for extremely preterm infants, which are easily accessible in the clinical setting and can be used from birth.

Sensory profiles obtained from parental reports correlate with independent assessments of development in very preterm children at 2 years of age.

BACKGROUND: Very preterm (VPT) children have different sensory profiles than term-born controls, but how the sensory profiles in VPT children relate to development has not been reported. AIM: The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between VPT infant sensory profiles and concurrent developmental outcomes at 2 years' corrected age. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study. SUBJECTS: 243 children <30 weeks' gestation. OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary caregivers completed the Infant/Toddler Sensory Profile Questionnaire to obtain information on sensory processing at 2 years of age. Independent observers assessed the child's neurodevelopment with either the Mental Developmental Index (MDI) and Psychomotor Developmental Index (PDI) of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development version 2 (Bayley 2) or the Cognition, Language and Motor Composites of the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development version 3 (Bayley 3). RESULTS: A stronger Low Registration pattern correlated with lower MDI and PDI scores and a stronger Sensation Avoiding pattern correlated with a lower PDI score. A stronger Low Registration pattern correlated with a lower Language Composite score. More frequent visual and oral sensory processing behaviours were associated with higher performance on the MDI and PDI, with more frequent auditory sensory processing behaviours also associated with higher PDI scores. More frequent auditory, touch and oral sensory processing behaviours were associated with improved outcomes on the Language Composite and more frequent auditory, touch and vestibular processing behaviours correlated with improved outcomes on the Cognition Composite. A secondary analysis using a computed MDI score derived from the Bayley 3 scores did not substantially alter any conclusions. CONCLUSION(S): Different sensory profile patterns obtained from parental reports of VPT children are associated with various aspects of neurodevelopment at 2 years of age, obtained from independent assessment.

Sensory profiles of children born < 30 weeks' gestation at 2 years of age and their environmental and biological predictors.

BACKGROUND: Sensory profiles are increasingly used by therapists to assess children. There is limited information on how sensory profiles differ between very preterm (VPT) children and term controls, or on the predictors of sensory profiles in VPT children. AIMS: The aim of this study was to examine sensory profiles of children born <30 weeks' gestation at 2 years and their environmental and biological influences. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study. SUBJECTS: 253 VPT children born <30 weeks' gestation and 65 term-born controls (>36 weeks' gestation). OUTCOME MEASURES: Sensory profiles were examined with the Infant/Toddler Sensory Profile Questionnaire, which measures the child's responsiveness in four sensory quadrants and in five sensory processing sections. Standardised z scores for the VPT sample were compared with the controls, and predictors of VPT infant sensory profiles were determined. RESULTS: VPT children had scores consistent with stronger patterns across all four sensory quadrants compared with controls, indicating a stronger interaction between neurological thresholds to elicit a response and self-regulation strategies. In addition they also exhibited more of the behaviours in all sensory processing sections compared with controls. Male sex, higher social risk, increasing length of stay, and moderate to severe white matter abnormality on MRI at term-equivalent age were associated with stronger sensory profile patterns in some quadrants, and more behaviours in some sensory processing sections. CONCLUSIONS: Sensory profiles differed between VPT children and term-born controls, with stronger sensory profile patterns associated with male sex, higher social risk, longer hospital stay, and moderate to severe white matter abnormality.

Quality of general movements is related to white matter pathology in very preterm infants.

OBJECTIVE: Preterm infants are at an increased risk for abnormalities of general movements, which predict subsequent poor neurodevelopmental outcome. The cerebral lesion that predisposes the preterm infant to abnormal general movements remains unknown. The objective of this study was to determine the association between MRI-defined cerebral abnormalities and general movements at 1 and 3 months' corrected age in infants who were born very preterm. METHODS: Eighty-six preterm infants (<30 weeks' gestation) were prospectively recruited and underwent brain MRI at term-equivalent age to investigate the relationship between qualitative white and gray matter pathology and abnormality of general movements. Standardized videotaped recordings of general movements were obtained at 1 and 3 months postterm (+/-1 week) and scored without knowledge of the MRI findings. At 1 month corrected age, general movements of a writhing character were classified as normal or abnormal (poor repertoire, cramped synchronized, or chaotic). At 3 months' corrected age, fidgety general movements were classified as present or absent. RESULTS: At 1 month, 53 (62%) infants had abnormal general movements, 46 of whom had poor repertoire general movements and 7 of whom had cramped synchronized general movements. At 3 months, 23 (25%) infants had absent fidgety movements. At both 1 and 3 months of age, consistently abnormal general movement classifications were related to increasing white matter abnormality on MRI. In contrast, there were no significant relationships between general movement classifications and gray matter abnormalities, either individually or in total. CONCLUSION: The significant relationships between general movements at 1 and 3 months and cerebral white matter abnormalities on MRI in the very preterm infant support the concept that abnormal general movements reflect white matter injury.

Alterations in neurobehavior at term reflect differing perinatal exposures in very preterm infants.

OBJECTIVES: Preterm infants have higher rates of cognitive and behavioral difficulties at school age than their term-born peers. We hypothesized that neurobehavior at term would be different in very preterm infants compared with term infants and that perinatal exposures would be associated with these alterations in neurobehavior. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Two standardized neurobehavioral evaluations were completed on 207 infants at term equivalent, including 168 very preterm infants (<1250 g or <30 weeks' gestation) and 39 term control infants. The assessments used were the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Network Neurobehavioral Scale and the revised Hammersmith Neonatal Neurologic Examination. The relationship of perinatal variables to preterm infant neurobehavioral scores for both evaluations was examined. RESULTS: Compared with term-born infants, preterm infant neurobehavior was significantly altered for the Hammersmith Neonatal Neurologic Examination total score and all of the subtotals. Similarly, preterm infants displayed altered neurobehavior for the majority of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Network Neurobehavioral Scale summary scores. Complete perinatal data were available for 157 of 168 very preterm infants. The perinatal variables most strongly associated with altered preterm infant neurobehavior on multivariate regression analysis included the total number of days of assisted ventilation, intraventricular hemorrhage, and necrotizing enterocolitis. Positive perinatal influences on neurobehavioral performance at term on multivariate analysis included maternal antenatal steroids, female gender, and infants receiving breast milk at discharge home. CONCLUSIONS: Preterm infants at term equivalent showed alterations in motor behavior and higher cortically integrated functions. The pattern of abnormality in neurobehavior differed in relation to perinatal exposures. Neurobehavioral examination at term equivalent age is useful in evaluating the impact of neonatal intensive care.