Barron Associates’ GEMINI System Successfully Tested on Neonates

Due to improvements in obstetrical and neonatal care, and an associated decrease in perinatal mortality, as well as increased risks associated with in vitro fertilization procedures, the number of preterm, very low birth weight (< 1,500 g) neonates born is growing. These infants have an increased risk of long-term developmental disabilities, with 5-15% exhibiting major neurodevelopmental disabilities and an additional 25-50% exhibiting mild to moderate neurodevelopmental disabilities

The GEMINI system is a low-cost kinematic measurement instrument for objectively and automatically assessing infant General Movements (GMs) in both hospital and non-hospital settings. Analysis of GMs provides a method by which to assess central nervous system (CNS) function; identification of movement dysregulation can lead to early interventions and treatment strategies aimed at facilitating normal movement patterns during an early critical period when CNS plasticity is high.

In a study involving 86 neonates, Barron Associates validated a methodology to identify poor repertoire and cramped synchrony GMs from normal movements with 94% sensitivity and 93% specificity. GM assessment has been shown to be superior to traditional neurological examination techniques, including brain imaging and reflex testing. The rapid and objective GM assessments provided by the GEMINI system will enable much wider use of GMs as a diagnostic tool, which will be beneficial for early intervention.