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Development of head position preference during early infancy: a longitudinal study in the daily life situation
B Hopkins1, Y L Lems, T Van Wulfften Palthe
1Department of Developmental Neurology, University Hospital, Groningen, The Netherlands.
Insights
Infants shift from a head-right preference to a midline head position by 12 weeks, linked to improved postural control. This developmental change impacts head position preference regardless of behavioral state as infants mature.
Area of Science:
- Developmental psychology
- Neuroscience
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Infants exhibit head position preferences early in development.
- Understanding these preferences is crucial for tracking normal motor and neurological development.
- Early head position can influence later outcomes like handedness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate developmental changes in supine head position preference in infants.
- To correlate head position preference with postural stabilization and behavioral state.
- To explore potential links between early head preference and the development of handedness.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of 14 healthy full-term infants from 3 to 18 weeks.
- Observation and recording of supine head position preference.
- Loglinear analysis to identify developmental trends in head orientation.
- Assessment of postural stabilization (head upright while seated).
- Analysis of head position preference in relation to behavioral state (e.g., crying).
Main Results:
- Infants showed a preference for the head-right position until approximately 12 weeks of age.
- A developmental trend was observed, shifting from head-right to a midline head position around 12 weeks.
- Improved postural stabilization preceded the maintenance of a midline head position.
- The influence of behavioral state on head position preference decreased with age.
Conclusions:
- Infant head position preference undergoes significant developmental changes, transitioning from lateral to midline orientation.
- Postural stabilization is a key factor enabling the maintenance of a midline head position.
- The relationship between behavioral state and head position preference evolves, suggesting increasing motor control and integration.
- These findings have implications for understanding the early development of motor asymmetries and potential handedness.
Abstract:
We studied developmental changes in supine head position preference in a group of 14 healthy full-term infants from age 3 to 18 weeks. The infants assumed an initial head-right position until 12 weeks. For the maintenance of a head position, a loglinear analysis revealed a developmental trend from an initial head orientation to the right to one with the head in the midline at around 12 weeks. The maintenance of a midline head position was preceded by a marked improvement in postural stabilization, defined as the ability to hold the head upright when seated in an infant chair. The relationship between head position preference and behavioral state changed with age: At 3 weeks all infants maintained the same position regardless of state, but by 18 weeks this situation held for only 64% of those who cried. The implications of these findings for the development of handedness are discussed.