Is in utero Fetal Neurological Assessment Comparable to Postnatal Neurological Assessment?

Abstract

ABSTRACT The traditional concept that brain damage is caused during birth or early neonatal period has been challenged. This is supported by the fact that the incidence of cerebral palsy stayed unchanged despite the global increase of cesarean sections. Consequently, the medicolegal importance of fetal neurological research is essential and needed. Years of research have provided us with important knowledge about association of fetal movements with brain development. The basic studies were done by two-dimensional ultrasound. The implementation of four-dimensional ultrasound in evaluation of fetal behavior has opened new and unexplored possibilities of evaluating the quality of fetal movements and a detailed assessment of fetal facial expressions. It is known that early postnatal neurological assessment, regarding future prediction of neurological optimality, has great limitations do to wonderful brain plasticity. Taking this very important limitation in to the account we could conclude that the preliminary studies comparing prenatal and postnatal neurological assessment are comparable. More importantly they emphasize the fact that the study of fetal behavior is most probably the right path in the study of fetal neurological development. How to cite this article Vasilj O. Is in utero Fetal Neurological Assessment Comparable to Postnatal Neurological Assessment? Donald School J Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 2015; 9(1):91-95.