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New reference values must be established for the Alberta Infant Motor Scales for accurate identification of infants
A De Kegel1, W Peersman, K Onderbeke
1Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy Ghent, Artevelde University College - Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium. dekegel@ugent.be
Insights
Flemish infants show lower motor skills than Canadian norms, indicating a need for updated Alberta Infant Motor Scales (AIMS) reference values. Sleep and play positions significantly impact infant motor development.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Motor Development
Background:
- The Alberta Infant Motor Scales (AIMS) is a validated tool for assessing infant motor performance from birth to walking.
- Canadian AIMS reference values from 1990-1992 were used for comparison.
- The study investigated the applicability of these norms to Flemish infants assessed between 2007-2010.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate if Canadian AIMS reference values (1990-1992) remain relevant for Flemish infants (2007-2010).
- To determine the association between infant motor performance and sleep/play positioning.
Main Methods:
- 270 Flemish infants (0-18 months) were assessed using the AIMS by trained physiotherapists.
- Data on sleep and play positioning were collected via parental questionnaires.
Main Results:
- Flemish infants scored significantly lower on the AIMS compared to Canadian reference values (P < 0.001).
- Lower motor scores were associated with specific sleep positions and limited prone 'tummy time'.
- Infants frequently placed in sitting devices or supine positions showed poorer motor performance.
Conclusions:
- Flemish infants demonstrate lower motor scores than the Canadian norm population, suggesting the need for new AIMS reference values.
- Promoting 'tummy time' while awake and limiting time in sitting devices is crucial for optimal motor development.
- Recommendations align with SIDS prevention strategies, emphasizing safe sleep alongside active awake positioning.
Background:
The Alberta Infant Motor Scales (AIMS) is a reliable and valid assessment tool to evaluate the motor performance from birth to independent walking. This study aimed to determine whether the Canadian reference values on the AIMS from 1990-1992 are still useful tor Flemish infants, assessed in 2007-2010. Additionally, the association between motor performance and sleep and play positioning will be determined.
Methods:
A total of 270 Flemish infants between 0 and 18 months, recruited by formal day care services, were assessed with the AIMS by four trained physiotherapists. Information about sleep and play positioning was collected by mean of a questionnaire.
Results:
Flemish infants perform significantly lower on the AIMS compared with the reference values (P < 0.001). Especially, infants from the age groups of 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and of 15 months showed significantly lower scores. From the information collected by parental questionnaires, the lower motor scores seem to be related to the sleep position, the amount of play time in prone, in supine and in a sitting device. Infants who are exposed often to frequently to prone while awake showed a significant higher motor performance than infants who are exposed less to prone (<6 m: P = 0.002; >6 m: P = 0.013). Infants who are placed often to frequently in a sitting device in the first 6 months of life (P = 0.010) and in supine after 6 months (P = 0.001) performed significantly lower than those who are placed less in it.
Conclusion:
Flemish infants recruited by formal day care services, show significantly lower motor scores than the Canadian norm population. New reference values should be established for the AIMS for accurate identification of infants at risk. Prevention of sudden infant death syndrome by promoting supine sleep position should go together with promotion of tummy time when awake and avoiding to spent too much time in sitting devices when awake.
