Quality of general movements in infancy is related to neurological dysfunction, ADHD, and aggressive behaviour

The quality of general movements (GMs) was assessed repeatedly during the f irst postnatal months in a mixed group of 52 children at either low or high risk for neurodevelopmental disorders. In addition, all children were reex amined at 4 to 9 years. The follow-up assessment consisted of a neurologica l examination and an evaluation of behaviour by means of parental questionn aires. The quality of GMs changed frequently, to stabilize in the final pha se. The final GM phase is that of the so-called fidgety GMs which occurs be tween 2 and 4 months postterm. The quality of the fldgety GMs predicted out come very well. Definitely abnormal GMs were associated with a high risk fo r the development of cerebral palsy, whereas mildly abnormal GMs were assoc iated with the development of minor neurological dysfunction, attention-def icit-hyperactivity disorder, and aggressive behaviour.