Article

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the
characteristics of spontaneous movements in preterm infants at term age and
developmental delay at 3 years of age. METHOD: We analysed video recordings of
the spontaneous movements in the supine position of 124 preterm infants (44
males, 80 females) at 36 to 44 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA). The infants were
born preterm (22-36wks PMA; birthweight 489-1696g) and had not received a
diagnosis of a neurological or developmental disorder by the age of 3 years. The
recorded spontaneous movements were quantified using six movement indices, which
were calculated from two-dimensional trajectories of all limbs. The infants were
divided into three developmental groups, normal, borderline, or delayed, based on
their developmental quotient as calculated using the Kyoto Scale of Psychological
Development 2001 (Kyoto Scale) at 3 years of age. Group differences in the
movement indices were analysed. RESULTS: In the delayed group, average velocity
of arms and legs were significantly lower (p<0.05 and p<0.01 respectively), the
numbers of movement units of arms and legs were significantly lower (p<0.05 and
p<0.01 respectively), kurtosis of acceleration of arms and legs was significantly
higher (p<0.05 in each case), and correlation between limb velocities was higher
(p<0.05) than in the normal group. INTERPRETATION: In children who exhibited
developmental delay at 3 years of age, the spontaneous movements at term age can
be described as less active with intermittent occurrences of abrupt and
synchronized movements of the limbs. Recognition of these characteristics of
spontaneous movements at term age may be used as a predictor for subsequent
cognitive and behavioural development in preterm infants.
CI - (c) 2013 Mac Keith Press.

Langue : ANGLAIS