Biomedical subjects

M Hadders-Algra

Publications and source records attributed to M Hadders-Algra.

79 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

PubMed1986

Neurologically deviant newborns: neurological and behavioural development at the age of six years.

Of 1655 newborns examined neurologically at term, 80 were found to be abnormal. 76 were traced at six years of age, together with a control group of 77 neonatally normal children. In the study group five children had died, six were severely handicapped and 21 had minor neurological dysfunction (MND). In the control group two had died and four had MND. Obstetrical and neonatal paediatric effects, as well as complications in the intervening years, appeared to have a cumulative effect on the relationship between the neonatal neurological condition and the neurological findings at six years. There were no large differences in behaviour between the study group and the controls, but the study-group MND children showed a stronger tendency for undesirable behaviour and poor school achievements. Although environmental influences are preponderant for the development of behaviour and school performance, a contribution of both neonatal and later neurological conditions seems likely.

Child↗

PubMed1986

Long-term follow-up of children prenatally exposed to ritodrine.

In a group of 78 6-year-old children exposed to ritodrine treatment during pregnancy for an average of 28.2 days and in two matched control groups, no statistically significant differences could be found regarding urinalysis, body-length, weight, head circumference, neurological findings, and general behaviour as perceived by parents and teachers. However, school performances of ritodrine-treated children, as estimated by the teacher of the infant school, were considered to be less good. Whether this difference can be attributed to exposure to ritodrine or should rather be explained by the less favourable obstetric situation, which led to imminent preterm delivery, is an unsolved question.

Adult↗

PubMed1985

Minor neurological dysfunction and behavioural development. A report from the Groningen Perinatal Project.

In a follow-up study of 230 children a statistically significant relation was found between the neonatal neurological diagnosis and the presence of minor neurological dysfunctions at the age of 6 years: of 167 normal newborns, 7% turned out to have MND at follow-up versus 21% of 63 (mildly) abnormal neonates. Interval complications occurred especially in the latter group of MND children. Their presence may have hampered recovery. Both follow-up and neonatal neurological diagnoses were in a varying degree related to undesired behaviour as reported by parents and teachers, such as 'clumsy', 'difficult to handle', 'hyperactive', 'irritable' and 'temper tantrums'. However, only to a limited extent the variance of the behaviour was explained by the neurological findings. It was concluded that, although the neurological condition of a child may determine his vulnerability for environmental influence to a certain extent, the contribution of both sex and environment on behavioural development is preponderant.

Child↗

PubMed1985

Follow-up of growth-retarded children born by elective cesarean section before 33 weeks.

25 singleton pregnancies were terminated by cesarean section between 28 and 33 weeks of gestation because of suspected growth retardation and abnormal unstressed cardiotocograms. Only infants with birth weights below the tenth centile were considered. 17 survived and were neurologically examined at 2.5-7 years of age. 2 were neurologically abnormal (1 had an adrenogenital syndrome) and 1 showed minor neurological dysfunction. Cesarean section appears acceptable in the management of intrauterine growth retardation with fetal distress in the early third trimester.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗

PubMed1983

Hyperextension of neck and trunk and shoulder retraction in infancy--a prognostic study.

Hyperextension of the neck and trunk associated with shoulder retraction is often regarded as an early sign of a developing neurological impairment, which may lead to cerebral palsy. Follow-up results over the first 18 months of life in a group of 105 infants presenting this symptomatology showed that the presence of additional neurological symptomatology rather than hyper-extension as an isolated phenomenon determines prognosis. Neonatal neurological abnormality increases the risk for an abnormal development. Although more boys than girls presented hyperextension, no clear sex differences were found with regard to the influence of additional neurological symptomatology. Physiotherapy appeared to be of limited value only.

Birth Weight↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Developmental course of general movements in early infancy. I. Descriptive analysis of change in form.

In order to describe the developmental changes of general movements (GM) in early infancy and to relate them to changes in other aspects of the neurological repertoire, the spontaneous motility in supine position was recorded on video tape at 4-week intervals in a group of twenty-two full-term healthy infants aged 2-18 weeks. Each follow-up session included a neurological examination. In newborn infants GM have a 'writhing' quality. The movements are characterized by a tight appearance, a relatively slow speed and a limited amplitude. The 'writhing' character of the GM is gradually broken down into a so-called 'fidgety' quality. These GM are typified by an ongoing flow of small movements occurring irregularly all over the body. The transformation of GM from a 'writhing' character into a 'fidgety' character was related more closely to postmenstrual than to postnatal age. 'Fidgety' GM were almost constantly present at the age of 8-12 weeks. In the third month very rapid arm movements ('swipes' and 'swats') occurred. The developmental changes in the form of the GM and those of the neurological repertoire showed no significant correlation. This demonstrates that within the normal CNS the various functional modules develop autonomously.

Age Factors↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Developmental course of general movements in early infancy. II. EMG correlates.

In order to study developmental changes in muscle co-ordination during the first postnatal months, simultaneous polymyographic recordings and video-recordings were made during spontaneous movements of 22 healthy infants, who were followed from birth onwards. During the first 2 months general movements (GM) change from movements with a so-called 'writhing' character, which have a tight appearance, a relatively slow speed and a limited amplitude, into GM with a 'fidgety' character, which consist of an ongoing flow of small, elegant movements. We hypothesized that this transformation would coincide with a change from a pattern of co-contraction of antagonistic muscle groups into a pattern of reciprocal activation. This was not the case, a pattern of co-activation of antagonistic muscle groups remained the prevailing pattern. With increasing age, we found shorter burst durations of phasic activity, an attenuation of burst amplitude and a decrease of tonic background activity. These changes were attributed to a reduction of the sensitivity of the motor units due to spinal and supraspinal reorganization. It is hypothesized that the so-called 'bistable' properties of motoneurones play a central role in the observed phenomena: in neonates motor units are apt at displaying sustained activity, at 2 months of age the threshold for reaching this maintained activity increases, resulting in a low level of excitation of motor units during spontaneous movements. In the third month rapid arm movements ('swipes' and 'swats') develop. The 'swats' are characterized by a consistent pattern of reciprocal activity of antagonistic (shoulder) muscles.

Electromyography↗