GENERAL MOVEMENTS IN EARLY INFANCY - WHAT DO THEY TELL US ABOUT THE NERVOUS-SYSTEM

Authors
Citation
M. Haddersalgra, GENERAL MOVEMENTS IN EARLY INFANCY - WHAT DO THEY TELL US ABOUT THE NERVOUS-SYSTEM, Early human development, 34(1-2), 1993, pp. 29-37
Citations number
26
Categorie Soggetti
Obsetric & Gynecology",Pediatrics
Journal title
ISSN journal
03783782
Volume
34
Issue
1-2
Year of publication
1993
Pages
29 - 37
Database
ISI
SICI code
0378-3782(1993)34:1-2<29:GMIEI->2.0.ZU;2-F
Abstract
Developmental changes in muscle coordination patterns of normal and ab normal general movements (GMs) are described. GMs were studied simulta neously with video-recording and polymyography (polyEMG). GMs of norma l full-term infants gradually lose their neonatally slow and 'writhing ' character, to be turned into the elegant flow of small movements of 'fidgety' GMs at the age of 2-3 months. This transformation coincides with changes in the polyEMG. Tonic background activity decreases concu rrent with a reduction in amplitude and duration of phasic bursts. The coordination between antagonistic muscles does not change, co-activat ion remains the prevailing pattern. Secondly, preliminary results on h ealthy preterms (n = 6) are presented. At the examination age of 33-34 weeks postmenstrual age the preterms showed so-called 'preterm' GMs, which are characterized by variation and graceful complexity. EMG burs t duration was significantly longer during 'preterm' GMs than during ' writhing' GMs of full-term newborns. The percentage of co-activation d uring 'preterm' GMs varied considerably. The polyEMG of 'writhing' GMs of two preterms, who were followed longitudinally, differed from that of 'writhing' GMs of full-terms. At 'fidgety' age the EMG differences between preterms and full-terms had disappeared. Finally the first re sults on abnormal GMs are reported. A synchronized onset of muscle act ivity in all extremity muscles and 'packaging' of EMG-bursts into subu nits of 5-8 Hz. seemed to be specific properties of these abnormal GMs . This could indicate a loss of supraspinal control.