Is There a Relationship Between Fidgety Movements and a History of Intrauterine Growth Restriction in Preterm Infants?

Abstract

Background: Preterm infants with a history of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) are more susceptible to neurodevelopmental disorders, even in the absence of brain damage. Several diagnostic tools exist for the functional assessment of the young nervous system. Assessment of general movements (GMs) is one method that predicts adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes in at-risk infants. In this study, we assessed fidgety movements (FMs), a subtype of GMs, in preterm infants with and without a history of IUGR. Our objective was to determine if there was a correlation between absent or abnormal FMs and a history of IUGR in preterm infants. We also examined this correlation using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ). Methods: A case-control study was conducted on preterm infants. The presence or absence of IUGR was confirmed by antenatal Color Doppler examination. Infants were referred to the Neurodevelopment Clinic at a corrected age of 3-5 months. Demographic, clinical, and maternal information was recorded. All infants' FMs were recorded, observed, and interpreted by a trained pediatrician. The ASQ was completed by parents. Results: Thirty preterm infants were included. The mean gestational age at birth was 33 weeks, and the mean corrected gestational age at the time of the study was 14 weeks. No significant relationship was found between absent/abnormal FMs and a history of IUGR (P = 0.634). Significant associations were observed between absent/abnormal FMs and prolonged NICU admission (p = 0.004), surfactant requirement (p = 0.045), and maternal gestational diabetes mellitus (p = 0.046). There were also significant relationships between FMs and the ASQ in the communication (P = 0.014), gross motor (P = 0.0001), fine motor (P = 0.037), social (P = 0.037), and problem-solving (P = 0.001) domains. Conclusion: The present study showed that there was no relationship between absent or abnormal FMs and IUGR in preterm infants.

Keywords

• fidgety movements
• general movement
• infant
• intrauterine growth restriction
• premature