Are abnormal fidgety movements an early marker for complex minor neurological dysfunction at puberty?

Background: Prechtl's method on the qualitative assessment of general. movements (GMs) is a powerful toot for early and specific prediction of cerebral palsy. However, it is uncertain whether the GM assessment can be used to predict mild neurological impairment. Aims: To determine whether the quality of general. movements (GMs) from the age of 3 to 5 months, i.e. fidgety movements, is related to the presence of complex minor neurological dysfunctions (MND) 13 to 15 years later. Study design: Prospectively collected data on the quality of GMs during infancy were retrospectively analysed on the basis of MND at puberty. Subjects: Twenty-eight participants (14 girls and 14 boys) with a median gestational age of 40 weeks (range: 35 to 42 weeks) and an appropriate birth weight (median 3390 g; range 1900 to 4200 g). Outcome measures: Touwen's neurological examination. Results and conclusions: Abnormal fidgety movements were not related to later complex MND, but to fine manipulative disabilities (p < 0.05). Normal. fidgety movements, which are continually present in the whole body, might be required for optimal calibration of the proprioceptive system. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.