New scoring system for fetal neurobehavior assessed by three- and four-dimensional sonography.
OBJECTIVE
To produce a new scoring system for fetal neurobehavior based on prenatal assessment by 3D/4D sonography. We identified severely brain damaged infants and those with optimal neurological findings and compared fetal with neonatal findings.


RESULTS
The new scoring system was retrospectively applied in a group of 100 low-risk pregnancies. After delivery, postnatal neurological assessment was performed, and all neonates assessed as normal reached a score between 14 and 20, which we assumed to be a score of optimal neurological development. Subsequently, the same scoring system was applied in the group of 120 high-risk pregnancies in which, based on postnatal neurological findings, three subgroups of newborns were found: normal, mildly or moderately abnormal, and abnormal. Normal neonates had a prenatal score between 14 and 20, mildly or moderately abnormal neonates had a prenatal score of 5-13, whereas those infants who were assigned as neurologically abnormal had a prenatal score from 0-5.


CONCLUSIONS
A new scoring system for the assessment of neurological status for antenatal application is proposed, similar to the neonatal optimality test of Amiel-Tison. This preliminary work may help in detecting fetal brain and neurodevelopmental alterations due to in utero brain impairment.
Kurjak
Asim
A
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical School, University of Zagreb, Sveti Duh Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia.
Miskovic
Berivoj
B
Stanojevic
Milan
M
Amiel-Tison
Claudine
C
Ahmed
Badreldeen
B
Azumendi
Guillermo
G
Vasilj
Oliver
O
Andonotopo
Wiku
W
Turudic
Tanja
T
Salihagic-Kadic
Aida
A
D002493:Central Nervous System Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004453:Echoencephalography / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000379:methods*; D011247:Pregnancy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016216:Ultrasonography, Prenatal / Q000379:methods*