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Palmar grasp behavior in full-term newborns in the first 72 hours of life
Jadiane Dionísio1, Marcus Vinicius Marques de Moraes1, Eloisa Tudella1
1Department of Paediatrics, University of São Paulo Medical School (FMUSP), Hospital das Clínicas, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Insights
Newborn palmar grasp strength increases significantly within the first 72 hours of life. This developmental change is crucial for identifying potential neuro-sensorimotor disorders in infants.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Neonatal Neurology
- Infant Motor Development
Background:
- Palmar grasp is a key neonatal neurological assessment.
- Abnormal palmar grasp (exaggerated after 5 months or absent at birth) indicates neuro-sensorimotor issues.
- Understanding typical development in the first 72 hours is vital for early detection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the palmar grasp behavior in full-term newborns during the initial 72 hours of life.
- To establish normative data for palmar grasp strength and time in neonates.
Main Methods:
- A nonrandomized, cross-sectional study involving 219 typical newborns.
- Participants were grouped by age: 12-24h, 25-48h, and 49-72h.
- Palmar grasp strength and time were measured three times with newborns supine; statistical analysis used p<0.05.
Main Results:
- Palmar grasp strength increased significantly with age, being highest in the 49-72h group.
- Left-hand grasp strength was greater in newborns aged 12-24h.
- Females exhibited greater palmar grasp strength than males at 48-72h.
Conclusions:
- Palmar grasp behavior undergoes significant modification within the first 72 hours of life.
- These developmental changes provide a baseline for assessing infant neuro-sensorimotor development.
Background:
The palmar grasp behavior is one of the items of an infant's routine neurological tests. Its exacerbated presence after the fifth month of age or absence in the first day after birth is an important sign of neuro-sensorimotor disorders. This study aimed to describe the palmar grasp behavior of full-term newborns in the first 72 h of life.
Methods:
This nonrandomized cross-sectional developmental study included 219 typical newborns aged 12-2 4h, 25-48 h and 49-72 h. Three measurements were performed with newborns in the supine position, recording the palmar grasp time and strength. Statistical analysis was applied with significant level of p<0.05.
Results:
Higher palmar grasp strength was observed in newborns aged 49-72 h compared to newborns aged 12-24 h and 25-48 h (F=7.42, p=0.01). There was significant difference in palmar grasp strength between hands (F=6.55, p=0.01), only in 12-24h, with greater strength in the left hand (t=-2.43, p=0.01), and difference in palmar grasp between strength (F=18.7, p=0.01) with greater strength in females (t=-5.40, p=0.01) only at the age 48-72 h.
Conclusions:
It was concluded that the palmar grasp behavior modifies in the first 72 h of life.
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