The characteristics of the fetal movement is a guidepole of the fetal growth development, and it can predict the development of the fetal sensori-motor system in some extent.
On the other hand, the fetal movement is also inhibited by mechanical factors as abnormal presentation of the fetus, oligohydramnios, etc. And furthermore inhibition of the fetal movement induces congenital deformity.
We made an investigation of the characteristics of the fetal movement on normal babies and babies suffering from cerebral palsy, mental retardation, Down's syndrome and congenital deformity. We have sought if there existed any correlations between these normal and abnormal babies and their fetal movement.
The results showed that the characteristics of the fetal movement is helpful to make diagnosis in the field of congenital metabolic disturbance and intrauterine maldevelopment.
