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Amiel-Tison Neurological Assessment at term age: clinical application, correlation with other methods, and outcome at 12 to 15 months

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  12 January 2005

Darja Paro-Panjan
Affiliation:
Neonatal Unit, Division of Paediatrics, University Medical Centre, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
David Neubauer
Affiliation:
Department of Child, Adolescent and Developmental Neurology, University Medical Centre, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Jana Kodric
Affiliation:
Department of Child, Adolescent and Developmental Neurology, University Medical Centre, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Borut Bratanic
Affiliation:
Neonatal Unit, Division of Paediatrics, University Medical Centre, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Abstract

The aims of this study were: (1) to perform the Amiel-Tison Neurological Assessment (ATNA) in a group of infants with different risk factors for brain damage; (2) to analyze the results of the examinations in light of the risk factors and presumed aetiology; (3) to compare results of examinations with results of cranial ultrasound, electroencephalography (EEG), and cerebral function monitoring (CFM); and (4) to evaluate neurological outcome at 12 to 15 months of age using the Amiel-Tison and Gosselin method, and developmental outcome using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development. Participants were 52 term, newborn infants (31 males, 21 females) with risk factors for brain damage. Mean birthweight was 3288g (SD 661g) and mean gestational age was 39.4wks (SD 1.2wks); range 38 to 41.3wks. Mean age at admission to a neonatal special care unit was 75h, (SD 13.7h). The group with a dynamic (evolving) clinical profile differed significantly from the group with a static (stable) profile in terms of aetiology, while the group with signs of prenatal brain damage differed from the group without these signs regarding aetiology and the level of severity of neurological signs. Sensitivity of the ATNA to detect infants with abnormal ultrasound was 0.97, with EEG 0.89, and with CFM 0.88. At follow-up at 12 to 15 months 47 children were examined: neurological examination was normal in 25 and five children had a minor, five a moderate, and 12 a severe neurological deficit. Agreement of the ATNA with neurological and developmental assessment at follow-up was very good. Our findings suggest that the ATNA is also of value in assessing aetiology and timing of brain lesions.

Type
Original Articles
Copyright
© 2005 Mac Keith Press

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