Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 8, 2026

Quantified Assessment of Infant's Gross Motor Abilities Using a Multisensor Wearable
09:24

Quantified Assessment of Infant's Gross Motor Abilities Using a Multisensor Wearable

Published on: May 17, 2024

Motor development of infants with univentricular heart at the ages of 16 and 52 weeks

Irmeli Rajantie1, Maarit Laurila, Kirsi Pollari

  • 1Children's Hospital (Ms Rajantie and Drs Lönnqvist, Sarajuuri, and Jokinen), University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland; Department of Neurology (Ms Laurila), Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland; Office of the Ombudsman for Children (Ms Pollari), Jyväskylä, Finland; Faculty of Sport and Health Sciences (Dr Mälkiä), University of Jyväskylä, Jyväskylä, Finland.

Pediatric Physical Therapy : the Official Publication of the Section on Pediatrics of the American Physical Therapy Association
|September 3, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) and other univentricular heart (UVH) conditions show delayed motor development compared to healthy peers. This delay is particularly evident in prone and standing positions by 52 weeks of age.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Cardiology
  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Congenital Heart Disease

Background:

  • Hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) and other univentricular heart (UVH) conditions are complex congenital heart defects.
  • Early motor development is a critical indicator of overall infant health and development.
  • Understanding developmental trajectories in these patient populations is crucial for timely intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the motor development of infants with HLHS and UVH to healthy controls.
  • To assess motor development at two key time points: 16 and 52 weeks of age.

Main Methods:

  • The Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) was utilized to assess gross and fine motor skills.
  • Motor development was evaluated in 23 patients with HLHS, 13 patients with UVH, and a control group of healthy infants.

Main Results:

  • Both HLHS and UVH groups demonstrated lower overall AIMS scores compared to controls at both 16 and 52 weeks.
  • At 52 weeks, HLHS patients exhibited significantly lower scores across all AIMS subscales.
  • UVH patients showed lower scores specifically in the prone and standing subscales at 52 weeks.

Conclusions:

  • Infants diagnosed with HLHS or UVH experience delayed motor development within their first year of life.
  • The delay in motor development is more pronounced in HLHS patients, affecting all assessed domains.
  • Specific challenges in prone and standing abilities are noted for UVH patients, highlighting targeted areas for developmental support.
Abstract

More Related Videos

In utero Measurement of Heart Rate in Mouse by Noninvasive M-mode Echocardiography08:01

In utero Measurement of Heart Rate in Mouse by Noninvasive M-mode Echocardiography

Published on: November 22, 2013

Related Concept Videos

Development of the Heart01:27

Development of the Heart

The development of the human heart, a crucial organ, commences from the mesoderm on the 18th or 19th day after fertilization. This process initiates in the cardiogenic area, a group of mesodermal cells at the embryo's head end, which evolves into elongated strands known as cardiogenic cords. These cords undergo a transformation to form hollow-centered endocardial tubes.
As the embryo undergoes lateral folding, these paired tubes approach each other, merging into a single primitive heart tube by...
Development of Blood Vessels01:07

Development of Blood Vessels

The development of the vascular system in a fetus is a complex and intricate process that begins as early as 15 to 16 days post-conception. This process starts outside the embryo, specifically in the mesoderm of the yolk sac, chorion, and connecting stalk. Approximately two days later, the formation of blood vessels occurs within the embryo itself.
The initial formation of this system is facilitated by the small amount of yolk present in the ovum and yolk sac. Blood vessels originate from...
Fetal Circulation01:14

Fetal Circulation

Fetal circulation is a unique system that facilitates the exchange of gases, nutrients, and waste products between the developing fetus and the mother. This intricate process takes place through a special organ called the placenta.
Two umbilical arteries transport blood from the fetus to the placenta. At the placenta, the blood absorbs oxygen and nutrients while simultaneously eliminating waste products. This oxygen-enriched and nutrient-rich blood then returns to the fetus through one...
Changes in the Appendicular Skeleton with Age01:09

Changes in the Appendicular Skeleton with Age

The upper and lower limb initially develops as a small bulge called a limb bud, which appears on the lateral side of the early embryo. The upper limb bud appears near the end of the fourth week of development, with the lower limb bud appearing shortly after.
Initially, the limb buds consist of a core of mesenchyme covered by a layer of ectoderm. The ectoderm at the end of the limb bud thickens to form a narrow crest called the apical ectodermal ridge. This ridge stimulates the underlying...
Development of the Limb Synovial Joints01:07

Development of the Limb Synovial Joints

Joints form during embryonic development in conjunction with the formation and growth of the associated bones. The embryonic tissue that gives rise to all bones, cartilage, and connective tissues of the body is called mesenchyme.
The mesenchymal stem cells differentiate into chondrocytes that form the hyaline cartilage, and later the cartilaginous model of the bone. This model further transforms into a bone. This process is known as endochondral ossification.
During development, the limbs...
Hierarchy of Motor Control01:18

Hierarchy of Motor Control

The hierarchy of motor control refers to the different levels of organization and processing involved in controlling movement in the body. These levels range from higher cortical areas involved in planning and decision-making to lower spinal cord reflexes that respond automatically to external stimuli.