The Small Step Early Intervention Program for Infants at High Risk of Cerebral Palsy: A Single-Subject Research Design Study.

: Early interventions for infants at high risk of cerebral palsy (CP) are recommended, but limited evidence exists. Our objective was, therefore, to evaluate the effects of the family-centered and interprofessional Small Step early intervention program on motor development in infants at high risk of CP (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03264339).

Implementation of remote general movement assessment using the in-motion instructions in a high-risk norwegian cohort.

Background: General Movement Assessment (GMA) is recommended for early detection of risk for cerebral palsy but requires trained clinical experts. We aimed to implement home- and hospital-based filming for remote GMA in a Norwegian high-risk infant cohort, as well as evaluating parents' experiences in filming their infant at home.

Methods: This knowledge translational study used a prospective cohort design including participants referred to neurodevelopmental follow-up across three sites in the Central Norway Regional Health Authority.

Inter-rater reliability of the Silverman and Andersen index-a measure of respiratory distress in preterm infants.

Background: There are various methods of respiratory support available to optimize respiratory function in preterm infants. Respiratory scoring tools might provide information on which method to choose and the level and duration of support needed. Before implementing a respiratory scoring tool in our clinical practice, we aimed to test the inter- and intra-rater reliability of the Silverman and Andersen index (SA index) among neonatologists and nurses when applied to preterm infants on respiratory support.

A randomised cross-over study showed no difference in diaphragm activity during weaning from respiratory support.

Aim: We measured electrical activity of the diaphragm (Edi) to compare the breathing effort in preterm infants during weaning from respiratory support with high-flow nasal cannulae (HFNC) or nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP).

Methods: This randomised cross-over study was carried out at St Olav's University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway, from December 2013 to June 2015. We gave 21 preterm infants weighing at least 1000 g HFNC 6 L/minute for four hours and nCPAP 3 cmH O for four hours with a one-hour wash-out period.

Limited microstructural and connectivity deficits despite subcortical volume reductions in school-aged children born preterm with very low birth weight.

Preterm birth and very low birth weight (VLBW, ≤1500 g) are worldwide problems that burden survivors with lifelong cognitive, psychological, and physical challenges. In this multimodal structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and diffusion MRI (dMRI) study, we investigated differences in subcortical brain volumes and white matter tract properties in children born preterm with VLBW compared to term-born controls (mean age=8 years). Subcortical brain structure volumes and cortical thickness estimates were obtained, and fractional anisotropy (FA), mean diffusivity (MD), radial diffusivity (RD), and axial diffusivity (AD) were generated for 18 white matter tracts.

Computerized working memory training has positive long-term effect in very low birthweight preschool children.

Aim: Working memory deficits are frequently found in children born preterm and have been linked to learning disabilities, and cognitive and behavioural problems. Our aim was to evaluate if a computerized working memory training program has long-term positive effects on memory, learning, and behaviour in very-low-birthweight (VLBW) children at age 5 to 6 years.

Method: This prospective, intervention study included 20 VLBW preschool children in the intervention group and 17 age-matched, non-training VLBW children in the comparison group.

Adaptive behavior in 10-11 year old children born preterm with a very low birth weight (VLBW).

Aims: The aims were to compare adaptive behavior in 10-11 year old VLBW children with and without cerebral palsy (CP) to term-born children, and examine its relationship with neonatal factors and infant motor repertoire in VLBW children without CP.

Methods: Twenty-eight VLBW children without CP, 10 VLBW children with CP and 31 term-born control children were examined at 10-11 years using the parent-reported Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales-II. The Adaptive Behavior Composite Score, based on communication, daily living skills and socialization, was adjusted for sex, socioeconomic status (SES), cognitive (WISC-III) and motor function (MABC-2).

Follow-up at age 10 years in ELBW children - functional outcome, brain morphology and results from motor assessments in infancy.

Background: Extremely-low-birth-weight (ELBW) children without severe brain injury or CP are at high risk of developing deficits within cognition, attention, behavior and motor function. Assessing the quality of an infant's spontaneous motor-repertoire included in Prechtl's General-Movement-Assessment (GMA) has been shown to relate to later motor and cognitive functioning in preterm children without CP.

Aims: To investigate functional outcome and cerebral MRI morphometry at 10 years in ELBW children without CP compared to healthy controls and to examine any relationship with the quality of infant-motor-repertoire included in the GMA.

Assessment of motor behaviour in high-risk-infants at 3 months predicts motor and cognitive outcomes in 10 years old children.

Background: The general movement assessment has mainly been used to identify children with cerebral palsy (CP). A detailed assessment of quality of infant motor repertoire using parts of the "Assessment of Motor Repertoire - 3 to 5 Months" which is based on Prechtl's general movement assessment can possibly identify later motor and cognitive problems in children without CP.

Aims: This study aims to determine whether analysis of quality of infant motor repertoire has predictive value for motor and cognitive outcomes at age 10 in children at risk for later neurological impairment.

Working memory training improves cognitive function in VLBW preschoolers.

Background And Objective: Preterm born children perform poorer than term peers on tests of attention and executive functions including working memory tests. Our aim was to evaluate if preterm born preschoolers with very low birth weight (VLBW) would benefit from a computerized working memory training program and if the training would have a generalizing effect on memory, learning, attention, behavior, and anxiety.

Methods: A prospective intervention study with a stepped wedge design where 20 VLBW preschoolers aged 5 to 6 years participated.