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.

Sleep characteristics, early spontaneous movements, and developmental functioning in preterm infants in the early postnatal period.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the following: (i) sleep characteristics in preterm infants at 9-20 weeks of corrected age, and (ii) differences in early spontaneous movements and developmental functioning results between the groups based on some sleep characteristics.

Methods: Seventy-four preterm infants (36 female) were included. Sleep characteristics were assessed according to the Brief Infant Sleep Questionnaire (BISQ).

Early Spontaneous Movements and Sensory Processing in Preterm Infants.

Importance: Preterm infants are at higher risk of motor development abnormalities and sensory processing difficulties. Few studies have examined both movement development and sensory processing in the early months of life, and the results are controversial.

Objective: In this cross-sectional study, we investigated (1) differences in early spontaneous movements and sensory processing between preterm infants born at <32 wk gestation and those born at 32 to 36 wk gestation when they reached corrected (postterm) age 3 to 5 mo and (2) the relationship between early spontaneous movements and sensory processing.

Assessment of spinal alignment in children with unilateral cerebral palsy.

Background: Children/youths with unilateral cerebral palsy are at high risk for the development of scoliosis and other postural deformities. The purpose of this study was to perform spinal assessment in the frontal and sagittal plane using Spinal Mouse® in children/youths with unilateral cerebral palsy and to compare their spinal shape and angles with typically developing children/youths.

Methods: 25 children/youths with unilateral cerebral palsy and 25 typical children/youths, aged 6-18 years, were included.

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.

Early Spontaneous Movements and Postural Patterns in Infants With Extremely Low Birth Weight.

Background: Extremely-low-birth-weight (ELBW) infants are at high risk of morbidity, mortality, and long-term neurodevelopmental disorders. Evaluating infants' early spontaneous movements and postural patterns could facilitate the early detection of neurological dysfunction. This study aimed to analyze the results of global-and detailed-General Movements Assessment (GMA) in ELBW infants at a corrected age of three to five months and to compare with normal-birth-weight (NBW) infants.

The Effects of Different Exteroceptive Experiences on the Early Motor Repertoire in Infants With Down Syndrome.

Objective: Down syndrome is a chromosomal abnormality in which muscle tone, motor development, and sensory systems are affected. The objectives of this study were to examine the changes in movements and postures of 3- to 5-month-old infants with Down syndrome and infants who were neurotypical controls during exposure to a rough-textured surface and to compare the differences occurring before and during an exteroceptive condition that was different between the 2 groups.

Methods: In this quasi-experimental study, participants were 20 infants with Down syndrome (8 female infants; age range = 10-18 weeks, mean [SD] = 12 weeks 2 days [2 weeks 2 days]) and 20 age-matched infants with typical development (8 female infants; age range = 9-17 weeks, mean (SD) = 12 weeks 6 days [1 week 5 days]).