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Does late preterm birth impact trunk control and early reaching behavior?
Natalia Tiemi da Silva Sato1, Andréa Baraldi Cunha2, Giovanna Laura Neves Antonio1
1Department of Physical Therapy, Federal University of Sao Carlos, Rodovia Washington Luís, km 235, Sao Carlos, SP, 13565-905, Brazil.
Insights
Late preterm infants show delayed trunk control but advanced reaching skills compared to full-term infants. Trunk control correlates with reaching in full-term infants, offering insights for early intervention strategies.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Motor Control Research
- Infant Motor Development
Background:
- Trunk control is crucial for developing reaching behaviors in infants.
- Understanding differences between late preterm (LPT) and full-term (FT) infants is important for early intervention.
- Longitudinal studies tracking motor development provide valuable insights.
Purpose of the Study:
- To longitudinally assess trunk control and reaching behavior in LPT and FT infants.
- To examine the relationship between trunk control and reaching outcomes.
- To compare motor development in LPT and FT infants across different sitting positions.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal assessment of 20 LPT and 36 FT infants at 6, 7, and 8 months.
- Utilized the Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control (SATCo) and reaching assessments.
- Infants were tested in two sitting positions with manual trunk support.
Main Results:
- LPT infants exhibited lower trunk control development over time compared to FT infants.
- LPT infants showed a higher percentage of unimanual reaches and successful grasping at 7 months, and more reaches at 8 months.
- Trunk control correlated with reaching strategies only in FT infants; sitting positions did not impact reaching.
Conclusions:
- LPT infants demonstrate distinct motor development trajectories compared to FT infants.
- Trunk control is a significant factor in reaching development, particularly for FT infants.
- Findings support the use of trunk control and reaching behaviors as targets for clinical interventions in infants.
Abstract:
The aims of the study were to 1) verify the level of trunk control longitudinally and reaching behavior while sitting in two positions in late preterm (LPT) and full-term (FT) infants, 2) determine whether the level of trunk control relates to reaching outcomes. Twenty LPT infants and 36 infants born FT were assessed via three in-lab visits: at 6, 7, and 8 months. At each visit, the Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control (SATCo) and reaching assessment were performed, where the infants were positioned sitting in the ring and at 90° of flexion of hips, knees, and ankles. Accurate manual support to the trunk was provided in each visit. LPT infants presented a lower level of trunk control over time. LPT infants presented a higher percentage of unimanual reaches and successful grasping at 7 months' visit, and a higher number of reaches at 8 months' visit compared to FT infants. The sitting positions did not influence reaching performance. The level of trunk control relates to functional reaching strategies only in FT infants. This study might provide insights for clinicians for understanding the level of trunk control, the importance of reaching behaviors for exploration, and considering these behaviors as strategies for intervention.
