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Comparison of motor and cognitive performance in infants during the first year of life
Denise Campos1, Vanda Maria G Gonçalves, Marilisa M Guerreiro
1Department of Neurology, Medical School, University of Campinas, Sao Paulo, Brazil. denise.campos@gmail.com
Insights
Motor and cognitive development in typically developing infants showed significant differences early on. However, by six months, these developmental domains became synchronous, as measured by the Bayley Scales of Infant Development II.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Neuroscience
- Child Psychology
Background:
- Infant development involves complex interplay between motor and cognitive skills.
- Understanding the synchronicity of these domains is crucial for early identification of developmental trajectories.
- The first year of life is a critical period for observing these developmental patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare motor and cognitive performance in typically developing infants.
- To track developmental changes across multiple time points in the first year of life.
- To investigate the synchronicity between motor and cognitive development from birth to 12 months.
Main Methods:
- A repeated-measures study design was employed.
- Ninety-four healthy, full-term infants participated.
- The Bayley Scales of Infant Development II (BSID-II) assessed motor and cognitive performance at 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in motor and cognitive performance were observed at 1, 2, and 3 months of age.
- No significant differences were found between motor and cognitive performance at 6, 9, and 12 months.
- Developmental synchronicity emerged from the sixth month onward.
Conclusions:
- Motor and cognitive development can be synchronous in typically developing infants during the first year.
- This synchronicity becomes particularly evident from the sixth month of age.
- Findings support the use of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development II for tracking developmental synchrony.
Purpose:
To compare motor and cognitive performance in infants with typical development in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 6th, 9th, and 12th months after birth.
Methods:
This was a repeated-measures study with unequal sample sizes in the follow-up periods, comprising 94 infants born at term. Infants with genetic syndromes, malformations, congenital infections, or hospitalized in intensive care units were excluded. The Bayley Scales of Infant Development II were used for evaluation of cognitive and motor performance.
Results:
There were significant differences between motor and cognitive performance at 1, 2, and 3 months. However, at 6, 9, and 12 months, there was no difference between domains.
Conclusion:
This study suggests that during the first year, development can be synchronous in the 2 areas evaluated by the Bayley Scales of Infant Development II, especially from the sixth month of age onward.
