Cerebral palsy in children: Movements and postures during early infancy, dependent on preterm vs. full term birth

BACKGROUND: A deviant motor behaviour at age 3 to 5 months is predictive of cerebral palsy (CP). Particular features of the early motor repertoire even proved predictive of the degree of functional limitations as classified on the Gross Motor Function Classification System (GMFCS) in children with CP, born preterm. AIMS: We aimed to determine whether an association between the early motor repertoire and the GMFCS also holds true for children born at term. STUDY DESIGN: Longitudinal study. SUBJECTS: 79 infants (60 boys and 19 girls; 47 infants born at term; video recorded for the assessment of movements and posture at age 9 to 20 weeks postterm age) who developed CP. OUTCOME MEASURES: The GMFCS was applied at age 2 to 5 years. RESULTS: Motor optimality at age 3 to 5 months showed a significant correlation with functional mobility and activity limitation as classified on the GMFCS at age 2 to 5 years in both children born at term (Spearman rho = − 0.66, p < 0.001) and born preterm (rho = − 0.37, p < 0.05). Infants born preterm were more likely to show normal movement patterns than infants born at term. A normal posture and an abnormal, jerky (yet not monotonous) movement character resulted in better levels of function and mobility. With the exception of one, none of the infants showed fidgety movements. A cramped-synchronised movement character, repetitive opening and closing of the mouth, and abnormal finger postures characterised children who would show a poor self-mobility later. CONCLUSIONS: Assessing the quality of motor performance at 9 to 20 weeks postterm age (irrespective of the gestational age) improves our ability to predict later functional limitations in children with CP.