Assessment of the fetal neuromotor development with the new KANET test

Abstract

Development of ultrasound technology, especially four-dimensional (4D) ultrasound, enabled insight into the fetal neuromotor development that is reflected by the repertoire of fetal activities or fetal behavior. Based on that new technology, the Zagreb group proposed a screening test called the Kurjak Antenatal Neurodevelopmental Test (KANET). Over several years, the KANET has been used to assess almost 2000 fetuses. Results are promising, and the test has demonstrated an ability to recognize normal, borderline, and abnormal behavior in fetuses from normal and pathological pregnancies. However, further studies are necessary as well as longterm postnatal monitoring of children who were prenatally evaluated with the KANET in order to determine its clinical value in identification of children with neurological risk.