Aim: To clarify the morphologic characteristics of the brain, which are the foundation of the emergence of general movements (GMs) in very-low-birth-weight infants.
Study design: Prospective cohort study. GMs were scored according to a semiquantitative scoring system: the GMs optimality score (GMOS) at preterm and term ages. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at term-equivalent age was scored using a validated scoring system (MRI score). We examined the relationship between the two scores by multiple regression analysis with relevant clinical background.
Subjects: We included 50 very-low-birth-weight infants cared for at Oita University Hospital from August 2012 to August 2018 who underwent MRI and GMs assessment. Their median gestational age and birth weight were 29w2d and 1145 g, respectively.
Results: The MRI score and systemic steroid administration were related to preterm GMOS, and the MRI score was related to term GMOS. The component cerebellum score and cortical grey matter score of the MRI score were associated with preterm GMOS, and the cerebellum and the cerebral white matter scores were associated with term GMOS.
Conclusion: The quality of GMs was associated with brain morphological development. The co-evaluation of GMs and brain morphology leads to accurate developmental prediction.
Keywords: Cerebellum; General movements; Magnetic resonance imaging; Very-low-birth-weight infants.
Copyright © 2019 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.