From Neonatal to Fetal Neurology: Some Clues for Interpreting Fetal Findings

Abstract: As early as possible, neonatologists try to identify neonates at risk of unfavorable neurodevelopmental outcomes. They are fairly reliable in predicting very poor outcomes as well as optimal outcomes. However, within these two extremes, the prediction still remains a challenge. Immaturity of the neonatal brain constitutes a limit in itself. During decades with the growing knowledge of brain development, many methods have been developed for neurological assessment of the neonate. Neither of them applied alone was perfect in terms of clinical applicability, sensitivity, reproducibility and specificity. The motor function is the first to provide the clinician with clues. Higher functions, in particular language and other cognitive functions, will develop later. However, recent researchers give credit to the brainstem for controlling exceedingly rudimentary learning-related cognitive-like activity. At present, the anticipation of late emerging developmental disabilities remains difficult even though early moto