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Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control in Moderate-to-Late Preterm Infants Related to Sitting Development
Noppharath Sangkarit1, Orawan Keeratisiroj2, Ponlapat Yonglitthipagon3
1Research Center in Back, Neck, Other Joint Pain and Human Performance (BNOJPH), School of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Muang, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand.
Insights
Trunk control in premature infants is crucial for developing sitting skills. Stronger trunk segment control correlates with better sitting ability as preterm infants grow.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Motor Control Research
- Infant Motor Development
Background:
- Postural segment control is vital for gross motor development in premature infants, particularly for achieving sitting milestones.
- Longitudinal data on home-raised preterm infants' postural control and sitting development are limited.
- Understanding these correlations can aid in optimizing gross motor development interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between postural segment control and sitting development in preterm infants.
- To conduct serial assessments from 4 months corrected age to independent sitting attainment.
- To establish correlations in a longitudinal design for moderate-to-late preterm infants.
Main Methods:
- Recruited 33 moderate-to-late preterm infants.
- Assessed trunk segment control using the Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control (SATCo).
- Evaluated sitting development with the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) and analyzed correlations using Spearman's rank correlation.
Main Results:
- Significant fair-to-good correlations were observed between segmental trunk control and sitting scales.
- Correlations strengthened from 4 months corrected age (rs = 0.370–0.420, p < 0.05) to independent sitting (rs = 0.561–0.602, p < 0.01).
- Positive associations indicate improved trunk control predicts better sitting ability over time.
Conclusions:
- A clear relationship exists between trunk segment control and sitting ability in preterm infants.
- This association strengthens progressively with age during early development.
- Findings highlight the importance of assessing and supporting trunk control for sitting milestone achievement in preterm populations.
Abstract:
(1) Background: The assessment of postural segment control in premature infants seems to be critical during the onset of upright gross motor development, especially sitting. Identifying correlations between postural segment control and the development of sitting milestones could help with promoting optimal gross motor movement. However, data on this topic in home-raised premature infants via longitudinal design are still limited. The purpose of this study was to examine relationships between postural segment control and sitting development through series assessments from the corrected age of 4 months until the early onset of independent sitting attainment. (2) Methods: 33 moderate-to-late premature infants were recruited. Their trunk segment control was assessed using the Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control (SATCo), and sitting development was examined by the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS). Relationships between SATCo and sitting scores were analysed using Spearman's rank correlation (rs). (3) Results: significant fair-to-good correlations between segmental trunk control and sitting scales were found from 4 months (rs = 0.370-0.420, p < 0.05) to the age of independent sitting attainment (rs = 0.561-0.602, p < 0.01). (4) Conclusion: relationships between the trunk segment control and sitting ability of moderate-to-late preterm infants were increased in accordance with age.
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