Predominantly, qualitative aspects of the early motor repertoire at the age of 3 and 5months are associated with language development.

Objectives: To assess the role of fetal brain-sparing and postnatal cerebral oxygen saturation (r c SO 2 ) as determinants of long-term neurodevelopmental outcome following fetal growth restriction (FGR).Methods: This was a prospective follow-up study of an FGR cohort of 41 children. Prenatally, the presence of fetal brain-sparing (cerebroplacental ratio < 1) was assessed by Doppler ultrasound. During the first two days after birth, r c SO 2 was measured with near-infrared spectroscopy. At 4 years of age, intelligence (IQ points), behavior (T-scores), and executive function (T-scores) were assessed using the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence, Child Behavior Checklist, and Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-Preschool Version, respectively. Using linear regression analyses, we tested the association (p < 0.05) between brain-sparing/r c SO 2 and normed neurodevelopmental scores.Results: Twenty-six children (gestational age ranging from 28.0 to 39.9 weeks) participated in the follow-up at a median age of 4.3 (range: 3.6 to 4.4) years. Autism spectrum disorder was reported in three children (11.5%). Fetal brain-sparing was associated with better total and externalizing behavior (betas: −0.519 and −0.494, respectively). R c SO 2 levels above the lowest quartile, particularly on postnatal day 2 (≥ 77%), were associated with better total and internalizing behavior and executive functioning (betas: −0.582, −0.489, and −0.467, respectively), but also lower performance IQ (beta: −0.530). Brain-sparing mediated some but not all of these associations. Conclusions:In this FGR cohort, fetal brain-sparing and high postnatal r c SO 2 were-independently, but also as a reflection of the same mechanism-associated with better behavior and executive function. Postnatal cerebral hyperoxia, however, was negatively associated with brain functions responsible for performance IQ.

Objective: To obtain reference data on the early motor repertoire of very preterm infants compared with healthy term infants at three months' post-term age. Study design: In this observational study, using Prechtl's method on the assessment of the early motor repertoire, we compared the quality of fidgety movements and the concurrent motor optimality scorerevised of infants with a gestational age <30 weeks and/or a birth weight <1000 g with healthy infants with a gestational age of 37e42 weeks. Results: One hundred eighty very preterm and 180 healthy term infants participated. The median motor optimality scores -revised of very preterm infants were significantly lower in comparison to those of term infants, with scores of 24 (25th-75th percentiles: 23e26) and 26 (25th-75th percentiles: 26e28), respectively. Fidgety movements were aberrant (abnormal or absent) more often in very preterm infants than in term infants. The odds ratio was 4.59 (95% CI, 1.51e13.92). Compared with term infants, very preterm infants had poorer scores on the subscales age-adequate movement repertoire, observed postural patterns, and movement character with odds ratios 2.97. We found no differences regarding observed movement patterns. Conclusion:This study provides reference data on the early motor repertoire of very preterm and healthy term infants. It demonstrates that the early motor repertoire of very preterm infants is poorer than that of term infants, a finding consistent with existing knowledge that prematurity increases the risk of poor neurodevelopment.