General movements and head magnetic resonance imaging to predict cerebral palsy in preterm and low birth weight infants

[Purpose] This study aimed to determine the accuracy of combining general movements assessment and head magnetic resonance imaging in predicting cerebral palsy in preterm and low birth weight infants. [Participants and Methods] This retrospective observational study analyzed clinical routine data of patients admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of a university hospital between 2010 and 2017. The study included 154 very low birth weight infants (mean gestational age 28.8 ± 3.1 weeks, birth weight 1003.7 ± 307.4 g). The infants were classified into a cerebral palsy group or a non-cerebral palsy group. We examined whether combining general movements assessment and head magnetic resonance imaging findings were associated with the development of cerebral palsy. Additionally, we calculated the sensitivity and specificity of each assessment. [Results] All assessments were associated with the presence or absence of cerebral palsy. Among them, the highest sensitivity and specificity, 92.7% and 97.9%, respectively, were observed in infants with abnormal head magnetic resonance imaging findings or poor general movements, even if the head magnetic resonance imaging was not classified as abnormal. [Conclusion] The combination of general movements assessment and head magnetic resonance imaging findings is useful for predicting cerebral palsy.