Abstract
Alterations in sleep and activity states of premature infants have been used as an index of neurological maturity. The neurobehavioral status of infants 25 to 34 wks GA was investigated by examining the temporal characteristics of spontaneous behavior. In Phase I of the study, movement patterns of 10 infants were observed during at least 2 uninterrupted one hour sessions at weekly intervals. Motility was classified into 27 behavior categories and recorded sequentially in one minute time samples. In Phase II, the frequency and intensity of behavior activity in 9 infants was measured and recorded using a pressure-sensitive transducer under the infant's head and torso during three-hour sessions. The data were monitored on-line by an interface and personal computer system. In Phase I, all infants showed periodic bouts of vigorous activity which typically involved all muscle groups, including the face. Bouts of activity, mean±SE 26.3±1.05 sec in duration, reliably alternated with periods of quiescence, mean±SE 0.23±.005/min. Fourier analysis of Phase II motility data showed evidence of cyclicity. Although a wide range of periodicities was found, motility rhythms clustered most frequently between 0.10 - 1.0 cycles/min. These motility cycle parameters concur with the relative incidence of activity in Phase I of study and suggest that oscillatory rate is a stable feature of premature motility patterning. Similar patterns have recently been reported in human fetal behavior. Our results are consistent with these findings and indicate cyclic motor activity may represent an endogenous characteristic of normal central nervous system function that is independent of events associated with early birth.
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Hayes, M., Kumar, S. & Delivoria-Papadopoulos, M. RHYTHMIC ORGANIZATION OF SPONTANEOUS MOVEMENTS IN PREMATURE INFANTS ≤ 34 WEEKS GESTATIONAL AGE (GA). Pediatr Res 21 (Suppl 4), 181 (1987). https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198704010-00091
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1203/00006450-198704010-00091