Table 2.

The motor optimality score (MOS) and its subcategories in 47 infants diagnosed with Down syndrome, 47 infants diagnosed with cerebral palsy, and 47 infants with a normal neurological outcome at 3 to 5 years of age.

	Down Syndrome (DS)	Cerebral Palsy (CP)	Normal Neurological Outcome (N)	p-values
Preterm birth	27 (57.4%)	27 (57.4%)	27 (57.4%)
Recording age
9–12 weeks	12 (25.5%)	16 (34%)	12 (25.5%)
13–16 weeks	30 (64%)	24 (51%)	30 (64%)
17–20 weeks	5 (10.5%)	7 (15%)	5 (10.5%)
MOS	Median = 13	Median = 6	Median = 26	DS vs. CP
	P25 = 12	P25 = 6	P25 = 21	p < 0.01a
	P75 = 23	P75 = 8	P75 = 28	DS vs. N
	Range: 10–28	Range: 5–20	Range: 10–28	p < 0.01a
Fidgety movements				DS vs. CP
Normal	14 (30%)	1 (2%)	44 (93.5%)	p < 0.01b
Abnormalx	20 (42.5%)	0 (0%)	0 (0%)	DS vs. N
Absent	13 (27.5%)	46 (98%)	3 (6.5%)	p < 0.01b
Repertoire				DS vs. CP
Age-adequate	12 (25.5%)	0 (0%)	27 (57.5%)	p < 0.01b
Reduced	20 (42.5%)	4 (8.5%)	15 (32%)	DS vs. N
Not age-adequate	15 (32%)	43 (91.5%)	5 (10.5%)	p < 0.01b
Movements				DS vs. CP
N > A	39 (83%)	6 (12.5%)	36 (76.5%)	p < 0.01b
N = A	5 (10.5%)	11 (23.5%)	8 (17%)	DS vs. N
N < A	3 (6.5%)	30 (64%)	3 (6.5%)	p = 0.67b
Posture				DS vs. CP
N > A	22 (47%)	8 (17%)	31 (66%)	p < 0.01b
N = A	10 (21%)	5 (10.5%)	6 (13%)	DS vs. N
N < A	15 (32%)	34 (72.5%)	10 (21%)	p = 0.17b
Movement character				DS vs. N
Smooth, fluent	3 (6.5%)	0 (0%)	19 (40.5%)	p < 0.01b
Abnormal, not CS	44 (93.5%)	34 (72%)	28 (59.5%)	DS vs. CP
CS	0 (0%)	13 (28%)	0 (0%)	p < 0.01b

Key: N > A, more normal than abnormal patterns; N = A, an equal number of normal and abnormal patterns; N < A, fewer normal than abnormal patterns; CS, cramped-synchronised movement character, i.e. spontaneous general movements appear stiff; limb and trunk muscles contract almost simultaneously and then relax almost simultaneously (Einspieler et al., 2004).

^aMann-Whitney-U test.

^bPearson Chi-square test.

^xthis category also includes infants with fidgety-like movements (large amplitude, slow).