Early Infant Motor Skill and Muscle Development

Primary Goal
To explore early markers in premature and full-term infants that will distinguish those at risk for future neurodevelopmental impairments

About the Initiative
A collaborative research study with the MUSC Department of Pediatrics – Neonatology and Division of Occupational Therapy and Division of Physical Therapy in the College of Health Professions

Investigators 

Principle Investigator: Dr. Dorothea Jenkins, MD Dept. of Pediatrics – Neonatology,
Co-Investigators: Dr. Patty Coker-Bolt (OT), PhD, OTR/L; Dr. Noelle Moreau (PT), PT, PhD;
Research Assistants: Jessica Perkel(link), MUSC Deptartment of Pediatrics; Katy Holthaus(link), MUSC College of Health Professions

Current Projects

To combine innovative assessments early in infancy to help detect early gender related posture, movement, and muscle changes that can help provide an earlier diagnosis of infants with developmental disorders:

• Motion kinematics
  
• Validated infant motor tests
  
• MRS/DTI imaging studies
  
• Ultrasound of muscles
  

Participants Needed

Newborn infants (full-term and premature infants). Recruitment is open and on-going.

Funding

SCOR Grant  - MUSC Specialized Center of Research Want to add the amount or anything else that you have applied for, etc?

Accomplishments

MUSC Pediatric Grand Rounds April 2011

Contact Us

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