Approximate Entropy Values Demonstrate Impaired Neuromotor Control of Spontaneous Leg Activity in Infants With Myelomeningocele

• DOI: 10.1097/pep.0b013e3182289ae4
• Publication Date: 2011-08-09T08:48:03Z
• Authors: Beth A. Smith; Caroline Teulier; Jennifer Sansom; Nicholas Stergiou; Beverly D. Ulrich
• Keywords: Approximate entropy; Supine position; Sample entropy

In Brief Purpose: One obstacle to providing early intervention infants with myelomeningocele (MMC) is the challenge of quantifying impaired neuromotor control movements in life. Methods: We used nonlinear analysis tool Approximate Entropy (ApEn) analyze periodicity and complexity supine spontaneous lower extremity MMC typical development (TD) at 1, 3, 6, 9 months age. Results: Movements were more regular repeatable (lower ApEn values) than TD, indicating less adaptive flexible movement patterns. For both groups values decreased age, complex TD. Further, for MMC, lesion level age walking onset correlated negatively values. Conclusions: Our study begins demonstrate feasibility identify MMC. Results this characteristics leg those typically developing imply that fundamentally different The authors recommend further