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Asymmetrical head-turning of preterm infants: some effects on later postural and functional lateralities
Insights
Preterm infants often show persistent right-sided head-turning, leading to skull asymmetry and later right-hand preference. This head-turning tendency in preterm infants correlates with asymmetrical gait and trunk posture.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Neuroscience
- Infant Health
Background:
- Persistent asymmetrical head-turning (torticollis) is a common concern in infants.
- Early identification of factors influencing infant motor development is crucial.
- Understanding the long-term effects of early postural asymmetries is important for intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence of asymmetrical head-turning in preterm and full-term infants.
- To examine the relationship between head-turning and subsequent functional lateralities (hand preference) and postural asymmetries.
- To explore the impact of prematurity on these developmental trajectories.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 44 relatively low-risk preterm and 53 full-term infants was studied.
- Assessment of head-turning, skull shape, trunk posture, hand preference, and gait.
- Longitudinal observation of developmental milestones up to nine months corrected age.
Main Results:
- Preterm infants exhibited a higher incidence of persistent right-sided head-turning and associated right occipital flattening.
- Asymmetrical trunk posture was more prevalent in preterm infants.
- At nine months, preterm infants showed a stronger right-hand preference, correlating with head-turning patterns.
- Asymmetrical gait in preterm infants appeared linked to head-turning tendencies.
Conclusions:
- Persistent head-turning in infancy, particularly in preterm infants, is associated with significant postural and functional lateralization differences.
- Early postural asymmetries in preterm infants may predict laterality patterns and gait development.
- These findings highlight the importance of monitoring and addressing head-turning in preterm infants for optimal neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Abstract:
Asymmetrical head-turning and its effects on subsequent functional lateralities and postural asymmetries were examined in 44 relatively low-risk preterm and 53 fullterm infants. Persisting head-turning to the right was observed more often among preterm infants, as was an asymmetrical skull with flattened right occiput and head-turning to the right. Asymmetrical trunk posture was present in 20 preterm and four fullterm infants. At nine months right-hand preference was more marked in preterm infants, and hand preference was well coincident with head-turning. Changes in hand preference occurred more often among fullterm infants. Asymmetrical gait seemed to correlate with head-turning in preterm infants.