During the past few decades, morphological studies of fetal brain as well as ultrasound imaging of fetal
intrauterine activities in the real time provided invaluable information about the most important events in the
development of human central nervous system. Analysis of the dynamics of fetal behaviour has led to a conclusion that
fetal behavioural patterns directly reflect developmental and maturational processes of fetal nervous system. It has been
suggested that the ultrasound assessment of fetal behaviour could be used for the evaluation of fetal central nervous
system and, possibly, for the detection of functional or structural brain disorders. The new and advanced imaging
techniques such as four dimensional sonography might open a new perspective for the study of fetal behavioural
patterns and facilitate the development of diagnostic strategies for early detection or prevention of brain dysfunctions.
The aim of this chapter is to review the clinical application of three and four dimensional sonography in the assessment
of fetal behaviour.
