Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 25, 2026

A Human-machine-interface Integrating Low-cost Sensors with a Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation System for Post-stroke Balance Rehabilitation
11:06

A Human-machine-interface Integrating Low-cost Sensors with a Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation System for Post-stroke Balance Rehabilitation

Published on: April 12, 2016

10.4K

Development of Movement and Postural Patterns in Full-Term Infants Who Are at Low Risk in Belgium, India, Norway, and

Lynn Boswell1,2, Lars Adde3,4, Toril Fjørtoft3,4

  • 1Division of Rehabilitative Services, Ann and Robert Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Physical Therapy
|July 2, 2024
PubMed

Insights

Fidgety movements in infants are generally normal and unaffected by country or environment, indicating universal development. However, age adequacy and overall motor scores show country-specific variations, suggesting potential needs for local norms in infant motor assessments.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Neuroscience
  • Global Health

Background:

  • Understanding typical infant motor development is crucial for identifying atypical patterns.
  • The General Movement Assessment (GMA) is a validated tool for evaluating infant motor skills.
  • Cross-cultural studies are needed to establish the universality of developmental milestones.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate factors influencing motor development in low-risk infants across Belgium, India, Norway, and the United States.
  • To assess the impact of country, sex, and perinatal factors on infant motor development using the GMA.
  • To determine if fidgety movements are culturally invariant.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study of 186 healthy, full-term infants aged 10-16 weeks postterm.
  • Certified observers used the General Movement Assessment to evaluate fidgety movements, movement quality, and the Motor Optimality Score-Revised (MOS-R).
  • Statistical analyses explored associations between motor scores and infant characteristics (sex, birth weight, gestational age) and country.

Main Results:

  • The vast majority of infants exhibited normal fidgety movements (96.2%), with no significant variation by country or other factors.
  • Variability was observed in age adequacy of movement repertoire (74.9%), postural patterns (89.6%), and smooth movement character (75.4%).
  • Younger postterm age was associated with atypical postural patterns, and both postterm age and country influenced age adequacy; infants from India had lower optimal MOS-R scores compared to Norway.

Conclusions:

  • Fidgety movements appear to be a reliable indicator of typical motor development, unaffected by cultural or environmental influences.
  • While fidgety movements are universal, other aspects of motor development assessed by MOS-R show country-specific variations.
  • Further research with larger cohorts and longitudinal follow-up is recommended to establish local norms for MOS-R interpretation.
Abstract

Keywords:
Fidgety MovementsGeneral Movement AssessmentLow Risk InfantsMovement PatternsPostural Patterns

More Related Videos

A View of Their Own: Capturing the Egocentric View of Infants and Toddlers with Head-Mounted Cameras03:56

A View of Their Own: Capturing the Egocentric View of Infants and Toddlers with Head-Mounted Cameras

Published on: October 5, 2018

7.4K
Gaze in Action: Head-mounted Eye Tracking of Children's Dynamic Visual Attention During Naturalistic Behavior07:09

Gaze in Action: Head-mounted Eye Tracking of Children's Dynamic Visual Attention During Naturalistic Behavior

Published on: November 14, 2018

10.6K

Related Concept Videos

Fetal Circulation01:14

Fetal Circulation

Fetal circulation is a unique system that facilitates the exchange of gases, nutrients, and waste products between the developing fetus and the mother. This intricate process takes place through a special organ called the placenta.
Two umbilical arteries transport blood from the fetus to the placenta. At the placenta, the blood absorbs oxygen and nutrients while simultaneously eliminating waste products. This oxygen-enriched and nutrient-rich blood then returns to the fetus through one...
Intrauterine Drug Delivery Systems01:21

Intrauterine Drug Delivery Systems

Controlled-release systems for intravaginal and intrauterine drug delivery have been developed primarily for the administration of contraceptive steroid hormones. These delivery routes circumvent first-pass hepatic metabolism, thereby enhancing bioavailability and allowing for reduced systemic dosages compared to oral administration. Such approaches contribute to improved therapeutic efficacy and patient compliance, particularly in long-term contraceptive regimens.Intravaginal Drug Delivery...
Development of Human Microbiota01:30

Development of Human Microbiota

The human microbiota begins developing at birth and undergoes continual change as we age. Infancy marks a critical period of microbial sensitivity, offering a “window of opportunity” during which beneficial microbes help mature the immune system. By age three, children typically develop a more stable and diverse microbial community. Newborns acquire microbes from their immediate environment; vaginal delivery favors maternal vaginal microbes, while cesarean births favor microbes from the skin...
Development of the Oral Microbiota01:28

Development of the Oral Microbiota

The establishment of the oral microbiome begins before birth, challenging the long-held belief that the fetal oral cavity is sterile. The presence of oral microbes such as Streptococcus and Fusobacterium in amniotic fluid suggests that microbial exposure may occur in utero, potentially through translocation from the maternal oral or gastrointestinal tract. This early colonization primes the neonatal immune system and sets the stage for subsequent microbial succession. Maternal health,...