Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 6, 2025
Quantified Assessment of Infant's Gross Motor Abilities Using a Multisensor Wearable
Published on: May 17, 2024
Walking Attainment in Very Low Birth Weight Infants in Japan
Yuu Uchio1, Naoko Shima1, Kaho Nakamura1
1Department of Rehabilitation, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Japan.
Insights
Very low birth weight infants achieve walking later, especially those with lower birth weight and shorter gestational age. Longer mechanical ventilation duration increases the risk of delayed walking attainment in these vulnerable infants.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Development
- Pediatric Neurology
- Developmental Pediatrics
Background:
- Very low birth weight (VLBW) infants often experience developmental delays.
- Understanding factors influencing motor milestones like walking is crucial for VLBW populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the corrected age of walking attainment in VLBW infants based on birth weight and gestational age.
- To identify perinatal factors contributing to delayed walking in VLBW infants.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal study of 145 VLBW infants without neurological abnormalities.
- Infants stratified by birth weight (<1000g vs. 1000-1499g) and gestational age (<28 weeks vs. 28-36 weeks).
- Multiple regression analysis used to examine perinatal factors affecting walking attainment.
Main Results:
- Infants with lower birth weight (Group A) achieved walking later than those in Group B (15.8 vs. 14.7 months).
- Infants with shorter gestational age (Group I) achieved walking later than Group II (16.0 vs. 14.8 months).
- Extended duration of mechanical ventilation was significantly associated with delayed walking attainment.
Conclusions:
- VLBW infants with lower birth weight and shorter gestational age exhibit delayed walking.
- Prolonged mechanical ventilation is a risk factor for delayed walking attainment in VLBW infants.
- These findings highlight the need for targeted developmental support for high-risk VLBW infants.
Objective:
To clarify the corrected age of walking attainment in very low birth weight infants by birth weight and gestational age, and determine perinatal factors affecting the delay in walking attainment.
Method:
This was a longitudinal study. We investigated walking attainment and perinatal factors in 145 very low birth weight infants without neurological abnormalities (mean birth weight 1019.3 ± 299.7 g, gestational age 29.0 ± 2.9 weeks). The study infants were stratified by birth weight (group A: <1,000 g, group B: 1,000 g≤, <1,500 g) and gestational age (group I: <28 weeks, group II: 28 weeks≤, <37 weeks) and were compared using unpaired t-tests. Furthermore, we examined the perinatal factors that affect the delay in walking attainment using multiple regression analysis.
Results:
Of the walking attainment, infants in Group A were older than those in Group B (50th percentile, 15.8 vs. 14.7 months). Infants in Group I were older than those in Group II (50th percentile, 16.0 vs. 14.8 months). Using multiple regression analysis with walking attainment age as the dependent variable, the duration of mechanical ventilation was found to be significantly related.
Conclusion:
Very low birth weight infants with light weight and short gestational age have delayed walking attainment, and longer duration of mechanical ventilation increases the risk of delay.
