Are sucking patterns and early spontaneous movements related to later developmental functioning outcomes? A cohort study.

Sucking patterns and early spontaneous movements have an important role in the determination of later developmental problems, but the relationship of the two together with long-term outcomes has not been investigated. The objectives of this study were to (i) examine the relationship between sucking patterns using the Neonatal Oral Motor Assessment Scale (NOMAS) and fidgety movements and other movement patterns using detailed General Movements Assessment (GMA), and (ii) investigate the relationship between these early assessment methods and developmental functioning outcomes at later ages. We analyzed the NOMAS from 34 weeks' postmenstrual age up to 10 weeks post-term and GMA between 9 and 20 weeks post-term age, and the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development-Third Edition (Bayley-III) was applied for the developmental functioning outcomes to 62 infants (61%, 62/102) between 12 and 42 months of age. Among 102 infants at-risk, 70 (69%) showed a normal sucking pattern, and 85 (83%) had fidgety movements. The median Motor Optimality Score-Revised (MOS-R), as determined by GMA, of all infants was 24. The NOMAS was related to the MOS-R and its subcategories (p < 0.05) in all infants at-risk. The NOMAS, MOS-R and its subcategories were also related to cognitive, language, and motor development at later ages according to Bayley-III (p < 0.05).   Conclusion: This longitudinal study showed that the quality of sucking patterns, fidgety movements, and MOS-R were related to later developmental functioning, indicating that abnormal sucking patterns, aberrant fidgety movements, and lower MOS-R might predict developmental disorders. What is Known: • Sucking patterns and early spontaneous movements in which central pattern generators play an important role are related. • Sucking patterns and early spontaneous movements might be used separately to predict developmental outcomes. What is New: • Sucking patterns and early spontaneous movements, when used together, were related to later developmental functioning, including cognitive, language, and motor development in at-risk infants. • Predictive value of sucking patterns was lower for each developmental functioning outcome than early spontaneous movements.

Early Spontaneous Movements and Upper Extremity Movement Score in Infants With all Narakas Types of Obstetric Brachial Plexus Palsy.

BACKGROUND: Obstetric brachial plexus palsy (OBPP) is a birth injury that affects upper extremity performance. However, some children with OBPP might have central nervous system disorder or developmental disabilities. This study aimed to investigate (1) the early spontaneous movements using General Movements Assessment (GMA) in infants with OBPP according to the Narakas classification, (2) the differences from typical infants, and (3) the relationship between the GMA and the affected upper extremity movements score. METHODS: Fifty-six infants with OBPP (39 females; median gestational age 40 weeks, range = 34 to 42) and 50 typical infants (20 females; median gestational age 38 weeks, range = 37 to 41) were assessed at age three to five months using the GMA, which is a determined Motor Optimality Score (MOS) for fidgety movements and concurrent motor repertoire, and using the Active Movement Scale (AMS) for affected upper extremity movements. RESULTS: There were no differences in MOS and its subcategories between Narakas types in infants with OBPP (P > 0.05); however, infants with OBPP had a higher degree of aberrant fidgety movements and a lower score in MOS and its subcategories than typical infants (P < 0.05). There was no relationship between AMS scores, and MOS and its subcategories. CONCLUSIONS: Infants with OBPP, except Narakas type I, might have an increased risk of central nervous disorder and developmental problems in addition to peripheral nerve injury. Each test, GMA and AMS, contributes to the identification of their own specific risk in these infants.

The early spontaneous movements, and developmental functioning and sensory processing outcomes in toddlers born preterm: A prospective study.

BACKGROUND: Preterm infants may present sensory processing difficulties as well as developmental disorders. However, studies investigating both early spontaneous movements, and later sensory processing and development functioning are limited. AIMS: To examine; (1) early spontaneous movements between the ages of 3 and 5 months, (2) the differences of sensory processing between the ages of 24 and 35 months in infants who had normal and aberrant fidgety movements between 3 and 5 months corrected age, and (3) the relationship between sensory processing and both early spontaneous movements and developmental functioning. STUDY DESIGN: A prospective observational study design. SUBJECTS: Eighty-eight preterm infants (median gestational age 32 weeks, range 23-36) were included. OUTCOME MEASURES: Early spontaneous movements, including fidgety movements, were assessed according to the General Movements Assessment (GMA), which determines the Motor Optimality Score (MOS). Developmental functioning was assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third-Edition (Bayley-III) and sensory processing was assessed with Toddler Sensory Profile-2 between the ages of 24 and 35 months. RESULTS: Sixteen preterm infants (18.1%) displayed aberrant fidgety movements. Median MOS was 25. Infants who displayed aberrant fidgety movements had a lower Bayley-III score in cognitive, language, and motor domains (p = 0.001, p = 0.006, p < 0.001, respectively) and showed more atypical movement sensory processing (p = 0.016) and touch sensory processing (p = 0.018). Fidgety movements were related to typical/atypical movement processing (p = 0.004, r = 0.300). CONCLUSION: In addition to motor assessment, sensory processing assessment in preterm infants might play a crucial role due to sensory processing difficulties from the early-period of life.