Mini KANET: Simple Fetal Antenatal Neurodevelopmental Test

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study is to develop a simple antenatal fetal neurodevelopmental test [Mini Kurjak's antenatal neurodevelopmental test (Mini KANET)] for the prediction of postnatal developmental disabilities. Methods: Three hundred and fifty-three healthy fetuses between 28 and 38 weeks of gestation were examined using a four-dimensional ultrasound. Fetal behavior was assessed with the Mini KANET, which consists of three parameters (isolated eye blinking, facial alteration or mouth opening, and isolated leg movement). A score range of 0-1 was characterized as abnormal, and 2-6 was normal. Diagnostic indices for the prediction of postnatal developmental disabilities were compared between the modified and Mini KANET assessments. Results: There were 334 normal (94.6%) and 19 abnormal (5.4%) cases among the 353 fetuses studied with the Mini KANET. Four cases of postnatal developmental disabilities were noted among the 334 normal fetuses (1.19%), whereas four cases of developmental disabilities were found among the 19 abnormal fetuses (21.05%) (p < 0.0001). There was a significant difference in sensitivity between the modified (37.5%) and Mini KANET (50%) assessments (p = 0.001), whereas no significant differences were noted for other diagnostic indices between the two assessments. Conclusion: The Mini KANET may become a simple antenatal fetal neurodevelopmental test for the prediction of postnatal developmental disabilities in healthy fetuses. However, the data and their interpretation in the present study should be taken with some degree of caution because of the small number of subjects studied. Further studies involving a larger sample size are needed to assess the validity of the Mini KANET for the prediction of postnatal developmental disabilities, comparing with the results of modified KANET.

Why 4D ultrasound has not (yet) revolutionized fetal‐movement research

“…Despite KANET recommending a frame rate of at least 24 volumes/s (i.e. 24 Hz) 49 , only one 50 of the 22 studies reported the acquisition frame rate, and this was, regrettably, critically low (1–3 Hz). This raises serious concerns regarding the reliability of the reported results.…”