Very preterm infants displayed similar imitation skills to full-term infants at term equivalent age

Very preterm infants are exposed to an atypical environment that could alter their developmental trajectory. We aimed to examine neonatal imitation, a foundation of social cognition, in very preterm and full-term infants.

In Strasbourg, France, between 2015 and 2018, we prospectively investigated the development of imitation skills. Very preterm (27 to 33 weeks of gestational age, n = 20) and full-term infants (n = 20) were enrolled using four gestures: tongue protrusion, mouth opening, sequential finger movements and hand movements. All testing were performed in infants at term-equivalent age. Two independent and blinded observers coded the behaviour of each infant on video recording. Facial expressions or hand movements, similar to the one presented, were quantified and classified according to their timing.

A total of 37 out of 40 infants imitated at least one gesture. The very preterm and term infants did not differ in the presence of imitation or its timing for the four gestures tested. The very preterm infants displayed more imitation abilities for sequential finger movement. Tongue protrusion and sequential finger movement were the particularly strong imitated gesture in both groups.

These findings are the first to show similar neonatal imitation in term and very preterm infants. Our results may support early parent-infant social interactions.