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Sitting Matters! Differences Between Sitters and Nonsitters at 6 Months' Adjusted Age in Infants At-Risk and Born
Sandra Jensen-Willett1, Malinda Pleasant, Barbara Jackson
1Departments of Physical Therapy (Ms Jensen-Willett and Dr Pleasant), Education and Child Development (Dr Jackson and Ms McMorris), Developmental Medicine (Dr Needelman), and Psychology (Dr Roberts), Munroe-Meyer Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska.
Insights
Preterm infants who achieve sitting milestones by 6 months show better cognitive and language development. Delays in sitting are linked to higher prematurity risks and poorer developmental outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Neonatology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Sitting delays in preterm infants can exacerbate cognitive and language deficits.
- Early motor development is a critical indicator of neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between sitting ability at 6 months corrected age and prematurity-related risk factors.
- To compare cognitive and language development in preterm infants who can sit independently versus those who cannot.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 105 neonatal intensive care unit graduates.
- Classification of infants as "sitters" if they could sit hands-free for >60 seconds at 6 months corrected age.
- Assessment of cognitive and language scores using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development-3rd edition (BSID-III).
Main Results:
- Sixty-nine percent of infants were nonsitters, exhibiting earlier birth, lower birth weight, and longer respiratory support duration.
- Sitters demonstrated significantly higher BSID-III cognitive and language scores.
- No significant differences in scores were observed based on gender, multiple birth, head ultrasound, payment type, or race/ethnicity.
Conclusions:
- Sitting ability at 6 months corrected age is a significant indicator associated with prematurity risk.
- Independent sitting is linked to enhanced cognitive and language development in preterm infants.
Purpose:
Sitting delays in infants born preterm compound cognitive and language deficits. This retrospective study examines differences in prematurity-related risk and compares developmental outcomes between sitters and nonsitters at 6 months' adjusted age.
Methods:
A total of 105 graduates of the neonatal intensive care unit met inclusion criteria. Infant demographic and medical risk profiles and 6-month Bayley Scales of Infant Development-3rd edition (BSID-III) cognitive and language scores were retrieved. Infants who sat with hands free greater than 60 seconds were classified as "sitters."
Results:
Sixty-nine percent of the sample were nonsitters and were born earlier, had lower birth weights, were chronologically older at follow-up, and spent more days with respiratory support. BSID-III scores were significantly higher in sitters but did not differ by gender, multiple birth, head ultrasound results, payment type, or race/ethnicity.
Conclusion:
Sitting abilities at 6 months' adjusted age are associated with prematurity risk factors. Cognitive and language scores differ significantly between sitters and nonsitters.