Infant's Behaviour Checklist for low birth weight infants and later neurodevelopmental outcome.

Assessment of the characteristics of spontaneous movements and behaviour in early infancy helps in estimating developmental outcomes. We introduced the Infant Behaviour Checklist (IBC) and examined the relationship between the behavioural characteristics of low-birth-weight infants and neurodevelopmental outcomes at 6 years of age. The behavioural characteristics during the neonatal (36-43 weeks, adjusted) and early infancy periods (49-60 weeks, adjusted) were assessed in very-low-birth-weight infants.

Early motor signs of autism spectrum disorder in spontaneous position and movement of the head.

We examined the characteristics of spontaneous movements at 9-20 weeks postterm age in very low birth-weight infants who later developed autism spectrum disorder (ASD). We analyzed video recordings of spontaneous movements of 39 children who had no clinical issues [typically developing (TD) group], 21 children who showed developmental delay, and 14 children who were diagnosed with ASD (ASD group) at 6 years of age. Head position in each video frame was classified by visual inspection.

Early standard development assessment characteristics in very low birth weight infants later classified with autism spectrum disorder.

Background: The prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptoms is high among very low birth weight infants (VLBWIs). Early diagnosis of ASD is crucial, because early intervention for ASD is effective.

Objective: To evaluate early standard development assessment characteristics in VLBWIs later classified with ASD.

Jerky spontaneous movements at term age in preterm infants who later developed cerebral palsy.

Background: Assessment of spontaneous movements in infants has been a powerful predictor of cerebral palsy (CP). Recent advancements on computer-based video analysis can provide detailed information about the properties of spontaneous movements.

Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between spontaneous movements of the 4 limbs at term age and the development of CP at 3 years of age by using a computer-based video analysis system.

Specific characteristics of spontaneous movements in preterm infants at term age are associated with developmental delays at age 3 years.

Aim: 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.

Qualitative brain MRI at term and cognitive outcomes at 9 years after very preterm birth.

Objective: A prospective study was performed to assess the relationship between the appearance of cerebral MRI at term and the cognitive functioning at 9 years old in very preterm born infants.

Methods: Seventy-six very preterm born infants (birth weight <1500 g or gestational age ≤32 weeks) obtained cerebral MRI at term-equivalent period, which was assessed by using established composite scores for the white and gray matter; cognitive outcomes at 9 years old were assessed in 60 subjects by using Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Third Edition.

Results: Mildly low scores on the different IQ indices (<85) were observed in 23.

Neurodevelopmental outcomes of very low birth weight and extremely low birth weight infants at 18 months of corrected age associated with prenatal risk factors.

Background: Very premature infants occasionally have neurodevelopmental disabilities. However, there have been quite limited data on prenatal risk factors associated with their neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Aim: To clarify the relationship between prenatal risk factors and neurodevelopmental outcomes of very premature infants.

Abnormal white matter appearance on term FLAIR predicts neuro-developmental outcome at 6 years old following preterm birth.

Unlabelled: Preterm infants are at significant risk of neuro-developmental disorders at school-age. MRI is a potentially useful screening tool of such disorders. Using FLAIR imaging in the preterm infants at term, here we demonstrate that abnormal low-intensity signal in the white matter predicts the neuro-developmental outcome at 6 years.

Periventricular low intensities on fluid attenuated inversion recovery imaging in the newborn infant: relationships to the clinical data and long-term outcome.

Background: The author's previous study showed that it is possible to predict the severity of white matter injury in early infancy by using fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) imaging. A follow-up study was performed in order to assess the correlation between the incidence of periventricular low intensities on FLAIR imaging (F-PVLI) and the clinical data including the physiological variables at birth and the long-term outcome of the infant.

Methods: The authors reviewed MRI of 328 newborn infants, which were obtained before 2 months corrected age.

Periventricular low intensities on fluid attenuated inversion recovery imaging in the newborn infant: Relationships to chronic white matter lesions.

Background: Neurological disadvantages due to hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) are still very serious problems. In order to support the infant with HIE, it is important to evaluate the severity of the brain injury early. The authors performed a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study of the neonatal brain in order to assess the clinical value of periventricular low intensities (PVLI) detected on fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) imaging.