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Parachute and lateral propping reactions in preterm children
Lygia Ohlweiler1, Alexandre R da Silva, Newra T Rotta
1Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre RS, Brazil. fp54@terra.com.br
Arquivos De Neuro-Psiquiatria
|February 4, 2003
Summary
Postural reactions like parachute and lateral propping can be assessed in preterm infants. These reactions indicate neurological development and may serve as prematurity markers into school age.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Neonatology
Background:
- Preterm infants exhibit unique developmental trajectories.
- Neurological assessment in early life is crucial for identifying developmental delays.
- Postural reactions are key indicators of motor development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish markers of neurological development in preterm infants.
- To define the clinical and epidemiological profile of preterm newborns.
- To assess parachute and lateral propping reactions at corrected ages of 3, 6, 9, and 12 months.
Main Methods:
- A non-controlled, prognostic cohort study was conducted.
- Included preterm newborns with gestational age up to 36 weeks and 6 days, and birth weight ≤2,000 g.
- Evaluated parachute and lateral propping reactions at specific corrected ages.
Main Results:
- At 6 months corrected age, parachute and lateral propping reactions were present in 8.1% of preterm infants.
- By 9 months corrected age, parachute reaction was observed in 87.5% and lateral propping in 90% of children.
- Postural reactions were successfully assessed within the first year of life.
Conclusions:
- Parachute and lateral propping reactions are assessable in preterm infants within the first year.
- Alterations in trunk-limb coordination are detectable through postural reactions in infancy.
- These postural reactions can serve as markers of prematurity extending into school age.
