The aim of this Research Topic was to collate articles describing prediction of outcomes of pre- and perinatal lesions leading to cerebral palsy, basic research in animal models and human subjects, and ideas for, and trials of, interventions in the first two years of life. CP arises from insults to the sensorimotor cortex, subcortical axon tracts and subplate. The aetiology is complex and often multifactorial. The outcome is not simply a loss of voluntary control due to disruption of descending pathways, but also involves abnormal development of reflex and corticospinal circuitry. CP may be viewed as aberrant plasticity in response to a lesion, indeed, abnormalities in movement are subtle at first but develop subsequently. It is misleading to suppose that developmental mechanisms are self-reparative. The challenge is to understand activitydependent fine tuning of neural circuitry during normal development and to find how to promote desirable plasticity whilst limiting undesirable effects following developmental lesions. However, before proposing interventions, we have to develop our ability to predict the severity of neonatal insults. We solicited a variety of articles, including long and short reviews, original research and opinion pieces, from both basic scientists and clinicians. Likewise we, as editors, have complementary knowledge and experience in this area. Anna Basu is an academic pediatric neurologist and Gavin Clowry is a developmental neuroscientist.

The Infant Motor Profile is a practical manual on a new, evidence-based method to assess infant motor behaviour. Not only looking at what milestones the infant has reached, but also paying attention to the quality of motor behaviour – how the infant moves – this text provides professionals involved in the care of infants at risk of developmental disorders with information on five domains of motor behaviour: variation, adaptability, symmetry, fluency, and performance. Backed up by extensive, up-to-date research, it includes percentile curves so that professionals can easily interpret the infants’ scores. The profile created from the assessment informs about the infant’s current condition and their risk of developmental disorders, as well as providing suggestions for early intervention, tailored to the strengths and limitations of the infant. Used over time, it can be an excellent instrument to monitor the infant’s developmental progress. Illustrated with numerous figures and accompanied by a website hosting over 100 video clips, this text is an essential read for professionals in developmental paediatrics, including paediatric physiotherapists, occupational therapists, developmental paediatricians, neuropaediatricians, and paediatric physiatrists.

Currently in the United States, 20% of children ages 6 years or younger live in poverty. Poor children have fewer opportunities than their peers to resources that are important for child development. At the same time, the prevalence of developmental disabilities has increased to 1 in every 6 children. Early identification of developmental delays is critical, and more than half of all American parents do not know the warning signs. Occupational therapy professionals in early intervention and preschool practice can provide the necessary services to support children's health in early childhood. This Practice Guideline explains the occupational therapy process for young children--and their families, caregivers, and teachers--which includes evaluation, intervention, and outcomes planning to enhance a child's occupational performance, adaptation, health and wellness, community participation, role competence, and self-advocacy. Topics include social-emotional development; feeding, eating, and swallowing; cognitive and motor development; service delivery; autism; obesity, cerebral palsy; and parent training. This work can help occupational therapy practitioners, as well as those who manage, reimburse, or set policy regarding occupational therapy services, understand the contribution of occupational therapy in evaluating and serving young children. This guideline can also serve as a resource for parents, school administrators, educators, and other early childhood staff.

Cerebral Palsy in Infancy is a thought-provoking book which introduces a new way of thinking on the development and use of interventions. Relevant to current practice, it advocates early, targeted activity that is focused on increasing muscle activation, training basic actions and minimizing (or preventing) mal-adaptive changes to muscle morphology and function. The authors present recent scientific findings in brain science, movement sciences (developmental biomechanics, motor control mechanisms, motor learning, exercise science) and muscle biology. This knowledge provides the rationale for active intervention, underpinning the need for an early referral to appropriate services. The book features methods for promoting relatively intensive physical activity in young infants without placing a burden on parents which include assistive technologies such as robotics, electronic bilateral limb trainers and baby treadmills. Cerebral Palsy in Infancy begins by specifying the guidelines for training and exercise, outlining the rationale for such intervention. It goes on to cover the fundamentals of neuromotor plasticity and the development and negative effects of limited motor activity on brain organization and corticospinal tract development. Neuromuscular adaptations to impairments and inactivity are discussed along with the General Movement assessment that can provide early diagnosis and prognosis, facilitating very early referral from paediatric specialists to training programs. The book ends with a section featuring various methods of training with the emphasis on preventing/minimizing muscle contracture, stimulating biomechanically critical muscle activity and joint movement. An ideal clinical reference for those working to improve the lives of infants suffering from cerebral palsy. CONTRIBUTORS: Adel Abdullah Alhusaini (Saudi Arabia); David I. Anderson (USA); Nicolas Bayle (France); Roslyn Boyd (Australia); Giovanni Cioni (Italy); Diane L. Damiano (USA); Janet Eyre (UK); Linda Fetters (USA); Mary Galea (Australia); Andrew M Gordon (USA); Martin Gough (UK); Richard L Lieber (USA); Jens Bo Nielsen (Denmark); Micah Perez (Australia); Caroline Teulier (France). "This book provides a comprehensive overview of the challenges of motor development and the consequent impact of poor motor function in later childhood for infants with cerebral palsy (CP)."Reviewed by: Oxford Brookes University on behalf of the British Journal of Occupational Therapy, Dec 2014 conceived and edited by Roberta Shepherd with contributions from internationally renowned expert clinicians and researchers discusses new research and new evidence-based treatment interventions shows how to organize very early and intensive physical activity in young infants to stimulate motor development and growth therapies include the specificity of training and exercise, with emphasis on promoting muscle activity and preventing contracture by active instead of passive stretching methods include new interactive technologies in enhancing home-based training sessions carried out by the infant's family extensive referencing in each chapter for further study chapters feature "Annotations" which illustrate scientific findings

How we raise young children is one of today's most highly personalized and sharply politicized issues, in part because each of us can claim some level of "expertise." The debate has intensified as discoveries about our development-in the womb and in the first months and years-have reached the popular media. How can we use our burgeoning knowledge to assure the well-being of all young children, for their own sake as well as for the sake of our nation? Drawing from new findings, this book presents important conclusions about nature-versus-nurture, the impact of being born into a working family, the effect of politics on programs for children, the costs and benefits of intervention, and other issues. The committee issues a series of challenges to decision makers regarding the quality of child care, issues of racial and ethnic diversity, the integration of children's cognitive and emotional development, and more. Authoritative yet accessible, From Neurons to Neighborhoods presents the evidence about "brain wiring" and how kids learn to speak, think, and regulate their behavior. It examines the effect of the climate-family, child care, community-within which the child grows.

In this issue of Clinics in Perinatology, guest editors Drs. Nathalie Maitre and Andrea F. Duncan bring their considerable expertise to the topic of Neurological and Developmental Outcomes of High-Risk Neonates. Preterm birth complications are the leading cause of death among children under five years of age, and three-quarters of these deaths could be prevented with current, cost-effective interventions. In this issue, top experts provide neonatologists and perinatologists with the clinical information they need to improve outcomes in high-risk newborns. - Contains 15 practice-oriented topics including neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome; healthcare disparities in high-risk neonates; autism spectrum and high-risk infant phenotypes; NICU transition to home interventions; telehealth and other innovations in NICU follow up; and more. - Provides in-depth clinical reviews on neurological and developmental outcomes of high-risk neonates, offering actionable insights for clinical practice. - Presents the latest information on this timely, focused topic under the leadership of experienced editors in the field. Authors synthesize and distill the latest research and practice guidelines to create clinically significant, topic-based reviews.