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Published on: February 5, 2019
Motor development of infants with positional plagiocephaly
Eileen Kennedy1, Annette Majnemer, Jean-Pierre Farmer
1Department of Physical Therapy, Montreal Children's Hospital, McGill University Health Center, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Physical & Occupational Therapy in Pediatrics
|October 22, 2009
Summary
Infants with positional plagiocephaly (PP) may experience delayed motor skills. Increased supervised prone playtime is associated with better motor development in infants, regardless of PP diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Motor Development
Background:
- The rise in positional plagiocephaly (PP) coincides with supine infant sleep recommendations.
- Reduced prone positioning may increase PP incidence and risk motor skill delays.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare motor development in infants with and without PP.
- To examine infant positioning practices in both groups.
Main Methods:
- Twenty-seven infants with PP (3-8 months) were matched with controls.
- Motor skills assessed using Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) and Peabody Developmental Motor Scales (PDMS).
- Parents recorded infant positioning via a 3-day diary.
Main Results:
- Infants with PP showed a trend towards lower AIMS scores (31.1 vs. 42.7, p=.06).
- Increased awake prone time positively correlated with better AIMS scores in both groups (PP r=.52, no PP r=.44, p<.05).
Conclusions:
- Infants with PP may be at risk for motor delays.
- Supervised prone playtime is crucial for enhancing early motor skill acquisition.
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