Related Experiment Videos
Effect of body position on later postural and functional lateralities of preterm infants
Y Konishi1, M Kuriyama, H Mikawa
1Department of Pediatrics, Kyoto University Hospital.
Insights
Body position in the neonatal period impacts infant development. Prone positioning in preterm infants promotes symmetrical posture and motor function, reducing asymmetries compared to supine positioning.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Developmental pediatrics
- Infant motor development
Background:
- Neonatal positioning is crucial for infant development.
- Limited research exists on the long-term effects of neonatal body position in preterm infants.
- Understanding positioning effects can optimize developmental outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of supine versus prone positioning during the neonatal period on subsequent functional and postural behaviors in preterm infants.
- To identify potential benefits of prone positioning for preventing developmental asymmetries.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of relatively low-risk preterm infants were assigned to either supine (n=44) or prone (n=37) positions throughout their hospital stay.
- Subsequent functional and postural behaviors were assessed at multiple time points.
- Key outcomes included head-turning, postural symmetry, hand preference, and gait patterns.
Main Results:
- Infants in the supine position showed persistent head-turning to the right and more frequent asymmetrical skull and trunk postures.
- Supine positioning was associated with a stronger preference for the right hand at nine months, while prone infants exhibited bilateral hand use.
- Asymmetrical gait patterns and mild gait disturbances were more prevalent in infants nursed supine.
Conclusions:
- Neonatal body positioning significantly influences later functional and postural development in preterm infants.
- The prone position appears to be beneficial in preventing postural asymmetries, such as infantile scoliosis, and promoting more symmetrical motor function.
- Prone positioning may contribute to more balanced bilateral hand use and improved gait patterns in early childhood.
Abstract:
The effects of body position during the neonatal period on subsequent functional and postural behaviours were examined in relatively low-risk preterm infants. 44 infants were nursed in the supine position and 37 in a prone position throughout their admission period. Persistent head-turning to the right was observed more often and continued longer in the infants lying in supine. Asymmetrical postures, e.g. of skull and trunk, were more often seen in infants lying in supine than in prone. The prone position was thought to help prevent infantile scoliosis. At nine months, preference for the right hand was more marked in infants lying in supine, whereas infants lying in prone used their hands bilaterally, a tendency that persisted at 18 months. Asymmetrical gait pattern with mild gait disturbance was found more often in infants lying in supine than in prone. The prone position was thought to prevent asymmetrical posture and excessive functional asymmetries.