Early markers of neurodevelopmental disorders based on general movements for very preterm infants: study protocol for a multicentre prospective cohort study in a clinical setting in China

Introduction Very preterm (VPT) infants may experience varying degrees of neurodevelopmental challenges. Lack of early markers for neurodevelopmental disorders may delay referral to early interventions. The detailed General Movements Assessment (GMA) could help us to identify early markers for VPT infants at risk of atypical neurodevelopmental clinical phenotype in the very early stage of life as soon as possible. Preterm infants with high risk of atypical neurodevelopmental outcomes will have the best possible start to life if early precise intervention in critical developmental windows is allowed.Methods and analysis This is a nationwide, multicentric prospective cohort study that will recruit 577 infants born