The assessment of general movements is a valuable technique for the detection of brain dysfunction in young infants. A review.

Recently, a new assessment technique by which to evaluate brain function in the fetus and newborn infant has been developed. The method is based on the assessment of the quality of General Movements (GMs). GMs are complex movements involving all parts of the body. They are present throughout fetal life and postnatally until about 3-4 months post-term. The persistent presence of abnormal GMs during the neonatal period and the absence of age-specific characteristics ("fidgety" movements) around 3 months-post term are both powerful predictors of the development of handicap.