THE ASSESSMENT OF GENERAL MOVEMENTS IS A VALUABLE TECHNIQUE FOR THE DETECTION OF BRAIN-DYSFUNCTION IN YOUNG INFANTS - A REVIEW

Recently, a new assessment technique by which to evaluate brain functi on in the fetus and newborn infant has been developed. The method is b ased on the assessment of the quality of General Movements (GMs). GMs are complex movements involving all parts of the body. They are presen t throughout fetal life and postnatally until about 3-4 months post-te rm. The persistent presence of abnormal GMs during the neonatal period and the absence of age-specific characteristics (''fidgety'' movement s) around 3 months-post term are both powerful predictors of the devel opment of handicap.