This prospective cohort study evaluated the effect of prenatal syphilis exposure on the motor repertoire of infants during the fidgety movements (FM) period, a critical window for early neuromotor assessment.
Prenatal syphilis exposure was associated with abnormal or absent fidgety movements and reduced motor repertoire quality during the FM period, suggesting early neuromotor compromise in exposed infants.
The study is observational, limiting causal inference; potential confounders related to socioeconomic status, maternal co-infections, or treatment timing may not have been fully controlled; generalizability may be restricted to populations with similar syphilis prevalence and prenatal care patterns.
Infants with known prenatal syphilis exposure should undergo early neuromotor assessment using General Movement Assessment during the fidgety movements period. Abnormal findings may warrant closer developmental follow-up and early intervention referral.
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