The study of fetal neurological function in order to better predict in utero
which fetuses are at risk of adverse neurological function after delivery and even later in
life, has remained on of the most difficult and unanswered dilemmas in perinatal
medicine. It has been proven that fetal behavioral patterns are directly related with the
level of fetal brain maturation. Studies have shown that fetuses have specific behavioral
patents during certain periods of gestation that correspond to the expected level of brain
development. Knowing these patents having standarised the method of assessment of
fetal neurobehavior can make possible the distinction between normal and abnormal in
utero brain development. This was made possible firstly due to the evolution of
ultrasound technology and mainly four-dimensional (4D) ultrasonography, which made
possible the detailed depiction of fetal movements, and details that could not be viewed
with 2D ultrasound such as facial expressions, mouth opening and grimacing, finger
movements etc. A new scoring system for the assessment of fetal neurobehavior based
on prenatal assessment of the fetus with 4D sonography has been developed based on
the same technique that neonatologists assess newborns during the first days of their
postnatal life. This overview aims to offer an insight on fetal behavior and assessment
of fetal neurology with the assistance of four-dimensional ultrasound.
Keywords: Fetal neurology, Four-dimensional ultrasound, KANET,
Neurobehavior.
