Joint range of motion development in premature infants

: The purpose of this study was to document joint range of motion of premature, very low birthweight infants and to describe developmental changes in joint range in the first year of life. The relationship between a group of three central nervous system complications and obtained range of motion was investigated. A longitudinal descriptive design was used documenting joint range of motion values over the first year of life in 65 premature, very low birthweight infants. Joint range of motion values were obtained using a plastic goniometer. Measures were based on an adaptation of the Amiel-Tison assessment. Infants were tested at the time of hospital discharge, and at 4, 8, and 12 months chronological age. The obtained values were summarized through descriptive statistical methods. Longitudinal trends in the sample demonstrated changes in joint range of motion over time. However, the preterm infants never displayed the high amount of flexion characteristic of full-term babies. The premature infants in the present study demonstrated more hip extension as they approached term conceptional age than previously reported values for full-term newborns. The present sample also had more elbow extension and less ankle dorsiflexion in comparison with previously reported findings for term infants. These findings may have developmental implications for a divergent course of neuromotor development in premature infants.