Article

The aim of this study was to explore the predictive value of quantitative
assessment of hand movements in 3-month-old infants after neonatal stroke.
METHOD: Thirteen infants born at term (five females, eight males; mean
gestational age 39.4wks, SD 1.19, range 37-41wks; mean birthweight 3240g, SD 203,
range 2900-3570g) with neonatal arterial ischaemic cerebral infarction, and 13
healthy infants (mean gestational age 39.1wks, range 37-41wks, SD 1.26; mean
birthweight 3190g, SD 259, range 2680-3490g) were enrolled in the study. The
absolute frequency and the asymmetry of global hand opening and closing, wrist
segmental movements, and independent digit movements were assessed from
videotapes recorded at around 12 weeks. Neurological outcome was assessed when
the infants were at least 18 months old using Touwen's neurological examination.
RESULTS: Five of the 13 infants with neonatal stroke had normal neurological
development, and eight had hemiplegia. Asymmetry of wrist segmental movements and
the absolute frequency of independent digit movements were significantly
different between infants with and without hemiplegia (p=0.006 and p=0.008,
respectively). No differences were found in global hand movements.
INTERPRETATION: We propose that the observed abnormalities of hand movements are
the result of two different mechanisms: direct disruption of the corticospinal
projection to the spinal cord, and altered modulation of the central pattern
generators of general movements.

Langue : ANGLAIS