Minor neurological dysfunction and quality of movement in relation to neonatal cerebral damage and subsequent development.

Minor neurological dysfunction (MND) and quality of movement were studied in relation to neonatal cerebral damage and developmental assessments at 3 1/2 years of age in 66 very low-birthweight children without obvious disability. MND was found in 19 children and was significantly related to the quality of movement. The results demonstrate that MND is associated with neonatal cerebral damage at preschool-age, but that the assessment of quality of movement is associated with more complex sensory motor tasks and simultaneous processing. At preschool-age, quality of movement might therefore be a better marker of later learning problems than traditional signs of minor neurological dysfunction.