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Systematic Reviews
Published in: Systematic Reviews 1/2021

Open Access 01-12-2021 | Encephalopathy | Research

The assessment of general movements in term and late-preterm infants diagnosed with neonatal encephalopathy, as a predictive tool of cerebral palsy by 2 years of age—a scoping review

Authors: Judy Seesahai, Maureen Luther, Paige Terrien Church, Patricia Maddalena, Elizabeth Asztalos, Thomas Rotter, Rudaina Banihani

Published in: Systematic Reviews | Issue 1/2021

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Abstract

Background

The General Movements Assessment is a non-invasive and cost-effective tool with demonstrated reliability for identifying infants at risk for cerebral palsy. Early detection of cerebral palsy allows for the implementation of early intervention and is associated with better functional outcomes. No review to date has summarized the utility of the General Movements Assessment to predict cerebral palsy in term and late-preterm infants diagnosed with neonatal encephalopathy.

Methods

We conducted a scoping review involving infants born greater than or equal to 34 weeks gestational age to identify all available evidence and delineate research gaps. We extracted data on sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values and described the strengths and limitations of the results. We searched five databases (MEDLINE, Embase, PsychINFO, Scopus, and CINAHL) and the General Movements Trust website. Two reviewers conducted all screening and data extraction independently. The articles were categorized according to key findings, and a critical appraisal was performed.

Results

Only three studies, a cohort and two case series, met all of the inclusion criteria. The total number of participants was 118. None of the final eligible studies included late-preterm neonates. All three studies reported on sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive and negative predictive values. An abnormal General Movement Assessment at 3–5 months has a high specificity (84.6–98%) for cerebral palsy with a similarly high negative predictive value (84.6–98%) when it was normal. Absent fidgety movements, in particular, are highly specific (96%) for moderate to severe cerebral palsy and carry a high negative predictive value (98%) when normal. In the time period between term and 4–5 months post-term, any cramped synchronized movements had results of 100% sensitivity and variable results for specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value.

Conclusions

A normal General Movements Assessment at 3 months in a term high-risk infant is likely associated with a low risk for moderate/severe cerebral palsy. The finding of cramped synchronized General Movements is a strong predictor for the diagnosis of cerebral palsy by 2 years of age in the term population with neonatal encephalopathy. The deficit of high-quality research limits the applicability, and so the General Movements Assessment should not be used in isolation when assessing this population.

Systematic review registration

Title registration with Joanna Briggs Institute. URL: http://​joannabriggswebd​ev.​org/​research/​registered_​titles.​aspx.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
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Metadata
Title
The assessment of general movements in term and late-preterm infants diagnosed with neonatal encephalopathy, as a predictive tool of cerebral palsy by 2 years of age—a scoping review
Authors
Judy Seesahai
Maureen Luther
Paige Terrien Church
Patricia Maddalena
Elizabeth Asztalos
Thomas Rotter
Rudaina Banihani
Publication date
01-12-2021
Publisher
BioMed Central
Keyword
Encephalopathy
Published in
Systematic Reviews / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 2046-4053
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-021-01765-8

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