Assessment of general movements in relation to neurologic signs at age two years

Abnormal movement patterns during the fidgety period, as identified by Prechtl's method for qualitative assessment of general movements, and the presence of minor neurologic and cranial signs at age 2 years, as defined by Amiel-Tison, are related to minor developmental disorders. Our study analyzed the relationship between the two assessment methods in 45 preterm infants. Cerebral palsy was identified in 4, minimal cerebral palsy in 2, and the Amiel-Tison triad in 4 children; in all, continuously abnormal patterns of general movements were present. In the intermediate group with 2 signs of the triad, one child exhibited normal movements in the writhing period, and all were abnormal in the fidgety period. The intermediate group, with one sign of the triad, comprised 9 children: abnormal findings in the writhing period were present in 8, and in the fidgety period in 7. Among 16 children without neurologic signs, normal general movements were present in 7 children during the writhing period, and in 5 during the fidgety period. We confirmed good correlation between general movements and neurologic outcome at age 2 years (Pearson's R at term age, 0.51; at fidgety period, 0.62).