PERINATAL RISK-FACTORS AND NEUROMOTOR BEHAVIOR DURING THE NEONATAL-PERIOD

Preterm birth is associated with an increased risk for neurological ha ndicaps. The purpose of the present study has been: to investigate the influence of perinatal risk factors on early neuromotor development d uring the neonatal period; to specify the neuromotor parameters partic ularly sensitive to perinatal complications; and to analyse whether th e infant's age at test influences the results. Bedside examination of passive/active muscle tone and automatic movements (22 parameters) was performed at 36 (101 infants) and 40 (153 infants) gestational weeks. Low birthweight and long treatment on a ventilator had a negative inf luence on the neuromotor behaviour at 36 weeks' gestation and white ma tter disturbances strongly affected the neuromotor parameters at 40 we eks. The development of rooting, sucking, swallowing and arm recoil af ter long-lasting ventilator treatment was affected by several neonatal risk factors. The development of passive muscle tone and several para meters measuring active muscle tone demonstrated individual consistenc y between tests, i.e. an infant's rank at 36 weeks' gestation was unch anged 4 weeks later, and some other parameters were not as consistent. The present study shows that several perinatal risk factors influence neuromotor behaviour already during the neonatal period. In addition, the present study provides data on the neuromotor behaviour during th e neonatal period that will be related to Inter neurodevelopmental exa minations in order to evaluate the prognostic value of testing neuromo tor development.