Influence of infections on the quality of general movements in premature infants

Abstract

Introduction: The task of contemporary neonatology is not only to save the lives of children born prematurely, but also to provide them with the highest possible quality of life. The Prechtl method, one of several methods of assessing the quality of general movement patterns, enables early identification of immaturity or damage to the central nervous system.

Aim: Dynamic assessment of the type and quality of general movement (GMs) in preterm infants to determine indications for early neurodevelopmental support and to identify the relationship between the occurrence of maternal and neonatal perinatal risk factors and the type and quality of general movements.

Material and method: 90 infants were assessed between 28 0/7 and 36 6/7 weeks gestational age. Dominant cases (57 cases) were infants born between 32 and 36 weeks GE. Most cases (48) received low Apgar score at 1 min (≤7), including two born in very severe condition. Neonatal infections were diagnosed in 26 infants. The study included three GM assessments: I - up to 14th day post-partum, II at term and III between 12 and 15 weeks corrected age. The analysis included gestational age, general condition of the newborn as per Apgar score as well as early and late infections.

Results: Neonatal infections were found to show a close correlation with the occurrence of abnormal general movements. It was confirmed that gestational age and congenital infections are important variables affecting the occurrence of abnormal general movements.

Keywords: Fidgety movements; General movements; Infant; Neurodevelopmental physiotherapy; Perinatal risk factors.