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Longitudinal assessment of leg motor activity and sleep patterns in infants with and without Down syndrome
Sandra M McKay1, Rosa M Angulo-Barroso
1Division of Kinesiology, University of Michigan, 3040 CCRB, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2214, USA. smckay@umich.edu
Insights
Infants with Down syndrome (DS) exhibit different leg movements and fragmented sleep compared to typical development (TD) infants. These early motor differences may impact the development of walking and other milestones.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Movement Science
- Genetics
Background:
- Leg movements in infants are crucial for motor development.
- Early motor differences in infants with Down syndrome (DS) are not fully understood.
- The link between infant leg activity, sleep patterns, and later motor milestones requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To longitudinally describe leg activity in infants with and without Down syndrome (DS) from 3 to 6 months.
- To examine sleeping patterns and nocturnal leg activity in infants with and without DS.
- To explore the relationships between early leg activity, sleep, and the onset of locomotor milestones.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study design tracking infants from 3-6 months.
- Use of ankle-worn activity monitors for 48-hour periods monthly.
- Analysis of data to differentiate day-night activity, intensity, and sleep fragmentation.
Main Results:
- Infants with Down syndrome (DS) demonstrated increased low-intensity leg activity.
- Infants with DS exhibited more fragmented sleep patterns compared to typical development (TD) infants.
- Early motor activity and sleep patterns show potential links to the achievement of functional motor behaviors.
Conclusions:
- Infants with Down syndrome (DS) display distinct patterns of leg movement and sleep.
- These early motor and sleep differences may influence the attainment of key motor milestones.
- Further research is warranted to understand the impact of these early variations on long-term functional motor development.
Abstract:
Whether infants with Down syndrome (DS) perform leg movements with the same frequency and quality as their typical development (TD) counterparts is equivocal. Furthermore, the relationship between these early leg movements and later onset of locomotor milestones has only been partially explored. The aims of this study were two-fold: (1) to describe the longitudinal leg activity in infants with and without DS (3-6 months), and (2) to examine sleeping patterns and leg activity during the night. In addition, the relationships between leg activities and sleep patterns with locomotor development were explored. An activity monitor was placed monthly on the infant's ankle for 48 h. Data were analyzed to separate day-night, high-low activity, and sleep fragmentation. The results indicate that infants with DS produced more low intensity activity and more fragmented sleep. These findings are discussed in relation to the influence of early motor activity on achievement of functional motor behavior.
