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Sit-to-stand-and-walk from 120% Knee Height: A Novel Approach to Assess Dynamic Postural Control Independent of Lead-limb
Published on: August 30, 2016
Postural control at 7 years of age after preterm birth with very low birth weight
Heinz Kluenter1, Daniela Roedder, Angela Kribs
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Children's Hospital, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany.
Insights
Extremely preterm infants (birth weight < 1,500 g) show nearly comparable postural control to full-term peers by age 7. However, subtle differences in directional control persist, indicating ongoing development in balance skills for these children.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Neuroscience
- Biomechanics
Background:
- Postural control is crucial for childhood development and daily activities.
- Extremely preterm infants face potential developmental challenges, including motor deficits.
- Understanding long-term motor outcomes in this population is essential for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare static and dynamic postural control in extremely preterm children (birth weight < 1,500 g) with full-term children and healthy adults at 7 years of age.
- To identify specific areas of postural control that may differ between these groups.
Main Methods:
- A prospective, single-center cohort study involving 21 full-term children, 44 extremely preterm children, and 19 healthy adults.
- Postural control was assessed using the Balance Master computerized force plate.
- The test battery included static and dynamic balance tests: modified clinical test of sensory interaction on balance, rhythmic weight shift, walk across, and tandem walk.
Main Results:
- Adults demonstrated significantly superior static and dynamic postural control compared to 7-year-old children.
- No significant differences in most postural control parameters were found between extremely preterm and full-term children.
- Preterm children exhibited significantly lower left-right directional control during rhythmic weight shifting.
Conclusions:
- Postural control remains underdeveloped in children at early school age.
- Extremely preterm infants, in the absence of major neurological disorders, largely achieve comparable postural control to their full-term peers by age 7.
- Subtle deficits in directional control may persist, highlighting the need for continued monitoring and support.
Objectives:
To measure postural control in extremely preterm infants with a birth weight of less than 1,500 g in comparison to full-term infants at 7 years of age and healthy adults.
Patients And Main Outcome Measures:
On a Balance Master computerized force plate, static and dynamic postural control was measured in 21 full-term 7-year-old children, 44 extremely preterm 7-year-old children, and 19 healthy adults. The test battery consisted of the modified clinical test of sensory interaction on balance, the rhythmic weight shift, the walk across, and the tandem walk tests.
Intervention:
Diagnostic, prospective, single-center cohort study.
Results:
Static and dynamic postural control was significantly better in adults than in children at 7 years of age. In most parameters, static and dynamic postural control was not significantly different between full-term and preterm infants with very low birth weight at 7 years of age. Only the ratio of intended to extraneous movement, that is, the left-right directional control, was significantly lower during the left-right rhythmic weight shift for almost all parameters in the study group of preterm infants.
Conclusion:
Postural control still is not fully developed in infants at early school age. At this age, formerly extremely preterm infants without major neurological disorders have almost caught up to the postural control of healthy full-term subjects.
