Understanding mental health in parents of very preterm (VPT) infants is critical as parental depression and anxiety can adversely affect children’s development.^1,2 While more mothers of preterm infants experience psychological distress in the early years than mothers of infants born at full term (FT),³ there is a dearth of detailed, longitudinal information on these symptoms in the newborn period. In the first hours and days after birth, fathers are faced with the dual responsibility of caring for their partners after delivery and being the primary point of contact with their child. Most remain involved in the day-to-day care of their infants throughout their hospital stay, often juggling responsibilities while returning to the workforce. However, research to date has largely overlooked fathers.

The Prechtl General Movement Assessment (GMA) has become a cornerstone assessment in early identification of cerebral palsy (CP), particularly during the fidgety movement period at 3–5 months of age. Additionally, assessment of motor repertoire, such as antigravity movements and postural patterns, which form the Motor Optimality Score (MOS), may provide insight into an infant’s later motor function. This study aimed to identify early specific markers for ambulation, gross motor function (using the Gross Motor Function Classification System, GMFCS), topography (unilateral, bilateral), and type (spastic, dyskinetic, ataxic, and hypotonic) of CP in a large worldwide cohort of 468 infants. We found that 95% of children with CP did not have fidgety movements, with 100% having non-optimal MOS. GMFCS level was strongly correlated to MOS. An MOS > 14 was most likely associated with GMFCS outcomes I or II, whereas GMFCS outcomes IV or V were hardly ever associated with an MOS > 8. A number of different movement patterns were associated with more severe functional impairment (GMFCS III–V), including atypical arching and persistent cramped-synchronized movements. Asymmetrical segmental movements were strongly associated with unilateral CP. Circular arm movements were associated with dyskinetic CP. This study demonstrated that use of the MOS contributes to understanding later CP prognosis, including early markers for type and severity.