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Posture and movement in very preterm infants at term age in and outside the nest
M Zahed1, J Berbis2, V Brevaut-Malaty3
1Aix Marseille University, Hospital Nord, Department of Neonatology, Chemin des Bourrely, Marseille, 13015, France. zahedmeriem@yahoo.fr.
Insights
Nests help very preterm infants adopt a semi-flexed posture and improve midline movements. While not affecting general movement quality, nests reduce hyperextension and frozen postures in infants.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal development
- Developmental pediatrics
- Infant biomechanics
Background:
- Very preterm infants often exhibit atypical posture and movement patterns.
- Early interventions are crucial for optimizing neurodevelopmental outcomes in preterm infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of nest use on general movements (GM) and posture in very preterm infants at term age.
- To assess how nests influence movement quality, postural adoption, and specific movement characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Seventeen high-risk preterm infants (gestational age < 30 weeks) were video recorded in a supine position, with and without a nest.
- Analysis focused on posture, GM quality, midline movements, abrupt movements, and frozen postures.
Main Results:
- Nest use did not alter the overall quality of general movements.
- Infants significantly adopted a curled-up position when using nests.
- Nests increased movements toward or across the midline.
- Nest use reduced hyperextension posture and head rotation movements.
Conclusions:
- Nests facilitate a semi-flexed posture and promote midline movements in very preterm infants.
- Nests reduce spinal hyperextension and frozen postures without negatively impacting overall GM quality.
Objective:
The objective of this study is to evaluate the use of nests on general movements (GM) and posture in very preterm infants at term age.
Method:
Seventeen high-risk preterm infants-less than 30 weeks of gestation (GA)-underwent a video recording, lying in supine position, with or without nest. Posture, GM quality, and movements made around the child's midline, as well as abrupt movements and frozen postures-in extension or flexion of the four limbs-were analyzed.
Results:
Nest did not modify quality of GM. Children significantly adopted a curled-up position. The nest system was associated with an increase in movements toward or across the midline, as well as reduction of the hyperextension posture and head rotation movements. Frozen postures in flexion or extension, as well as abrupt movements of the four limbs, were reduced but not significantly.
Conclusions:
Nest helps very preterm infants to adopt semi-flexed posture and facilitates movements across the midline and reduces movements of spine hyperextension, without GM global quality modifications.
