Early Neurobehavioral Development: Neuromotor Integration and Prenatal Markers of Growth Open Access

Abstract

The detection of neurobehavioral factors in the neonate that indicates normal fetal development has been vital in suggesting the potential neurological maturity of the infant into adulthood. Fetal measures are used as markers of nervous system development in pregnancies. The fundamental question of this study is specifically, what are the trends of cerebral blood flow and fetal movement across gestational age? In this study, cerebral blood flow and fetal movement are looked at as fetal markers of prenatal neurobehavioral development. The neuromotor integration period at around 28 gestational weeks is proposed as a point of dynamic change in development. Background literature suggests a lateralization of cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) trends, with the left hemisphere increasing at a faster rate of CBFV up to 28 weeks, and the right hemisphere having a higher CBFV starting from 28 gestational weeks. Research on fetal movement suggests that brief and spontaneous movements decrease over time and the frequency of whole-body movements increase. Results yielded no significant relationship between cerebral blood flow velocity and fetal movement, as the theoretical model would suggest. However, there was a relationship between the left and right hemisphere for cerebral blood flow, and the CBFV of left and right hemispheres crossed over at approximately 28-32 gestational weeks. There was a significant relationship among fetal movements, with 28-32 gestational weeks being a period of inflection for frequency trends. The results suggest that 28-32 gestational weeks may be a time of neuromotor integration.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Abstract......................................................................................................................................... 2

Introduction................................................................................................................................. 3

Methods....................................................................................................................................... 13

Results......................................................................................................................................... 15

Discussion.................................................................................................................................. 17

References.................................................................................................................................. 25

Tables.......................................................................................................................................... 33

Figures........................................................................................................................................ 36

About this Honors Thesis

Rights statement

• Permission granted by the author to include this thesis or dissertation in this repository. All rights reserved by the author. Please contact the author for information regarding the reproduction and use of this thesis or dissertation.

School	Emory College
Department	Psychology
Degree	BA
Submission	Honors Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Psychology, Clinical
Keyword	development Fetal prenatal neuromotor
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Emory, Eugene, Emory University
Committee Members	Brennan, Patricia, Emory University Lampl, Michelle, Emory University

Last modified

Primary PDF

Thumbnail	Title	Date Uploaded	Actions
	Early Neurobehavioral Development: Neuromotor Integration and Prenatal Markers of Growth ()	2018-08-28 13:11:47 -0400	Press to Select an action Download

Supplemental Files

Thumbnail	Title	Date Uploaded	Actions