Preventative antiepileptic treatment of infants with tuberous sclerosis complex and high risk of epilepsy markedly improves their neurodevelopmental outcome and reduces the incidence of drug-resistant seizures.

GMAGeneral movement assessment GMOS General movement optimality score AIM To explore the appropriateness of applying a detailed assessment of general movements and characterize the relationship between global and detailed assessment. METHOD The analysis was based on 783 video recordings of 233 infants (154 males, 79females) who had been videoed from 27 to 45 weeks postmenstrual age. Apart from assessing the global general movement categories (normal, poor repertoire, crampedsynchronized, or chaotic general movements), we scored the amplitude, speed, spatial range, proximal and distal rotations, onset and offset, tremulous and cramped components of the upper and lower extremities. Applying the optimality concept, the maximum general movement optimality score of 42 indicates the optimal performance. RESULTS General movement optimality scores (GMOS) differentiated between normalgeneral movements (median 39 [25-75th centile 37-41]), poor repertoire general movements (median 25 [22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29]), and cramped-synchronized general movements (median 12 [10-14]; p<0.01). The optimality score for chaotic general movements (mainly occurring at late preterm age) was similar to those for cramped-synchronized general movements (median 14 [12-17]). Short-lasting tremulous movements occurred from very preterm age (<32wks) to post-term age across all general movement categories, including normal general movements.The detailed score at post-term age was slightly lower compared to the scores at preterm and term age for both normal (p=0.02) and poor repertoire general movements (p<0.01).INTERPRETATION Further research might demonstrate that the GMOS provides a solid base for the prediction of improvement versus deterioration within an individual general movement trajectory.Abnormal general movements are among the most reliable early markers for neurodevelopmental disorders. 1,2Recently, Bosanquet et al. 3 reviewed various structural and functional assessment techniques for which the accuracy of predicting cerebral palsy was reported. Compared to cranial ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging and neurological examination, the general movement assessment (GMA) provided best evidence, with a sensitivity of 98% (95% confidence interval [CI] 74-100) and a specificity of 91% (95% CI 83-93).3 Apart from the first promising attempts to analyse general movements with the aid of computerbased tools, 4,5 GMA is based on visual Gestalt perception. General movements are considered to be normal if the sequence, amplitude, speed, and intensity are variable. Abnormal general movements are characterized by a lack of variability, especially in the movement sequence. 1,6 Gestalt perception is a powerful tool when it comes to the analysis of complex phenomena. Experienced observers consistently achieved high interscorer agreements, ranging from 89% to 93%. 6 In addition to the global assessment of general movement patterns, it can also be worthwhile to look at different aspects and components of general movements, particularly i...

Although neonatal care has become more and more meticulous with significant changes in technology in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) in the past 50 years, iatrogenic cutaneous injuries continue to occur. Although the incidence of severe injuries is decreasing because the more difficult procedures are being replaced by improved techniques, skin injuries have not yet been completely eliminated. However, the nature and causes of cutaneous injuries have changed, and the injuries are frequent but generally minor. The major risk factors are low birth weight, gestational age, length of stay, a central venous line, mechanical ventilation, and support with continuous positive airway pressure. The rate of iatrogenic events is about 57% at gestational ages of 24-27 weeks, compared with 3% at term. There are no current comprehensive reviews of iatrogenic cutaneous injury. The purpose of this review is to describe the iatrogenic cutaneous injuries that may occur in the newborns as a consequence of perinatal and postnatal medical procedures. With increased survival of extremely-low-birth-weight (ELBW) infants and changing modes of management in the NICU, neonatologists must make every effort to recognize injuries and prevent their occurrence in the NICU.

Longitudinal S100B protein measurements in urine soon after birth are a useful tool to identify which asphyxiated infants are at risk of long-term neurologic sequelae.

Longitudinal S100B protein measurements in urine soon after birth are a useful tool to identify which asphyxiated infants are at risk of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy and its possible neurologic sequelae.