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Updated: Jul 24, 2026
A Method to Quantify Visual Information Processing in Children Using Eye Tracking
Published on: July 9, 2016
State of awakeness during visual fixation in preterm infants
Insights
This study shows preterm infants have distinct awake states, with visual fixation improving as they mature. Quiet awakeness increases with age, while younger infants experience more drowsiness.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Development
- Developmental Neuroscience
- Infant Behavior
Background:
- Preterm infants exhibit complex developmental trajectories.
- Understanding distinct awake states is crucial for assessing preterm infant development.
- Visual processing capabilities mature rapidly in early infancy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and differentiate awake states in preterm infants.
- To assess the development of visual fixation in preterm infants.
- To correlate awake states with visual attention in preterm infants.
Main Methods:
- Facial behaviors and visual fixation were recorded in five preterm infants (mean 29 weeks' gestation).
- Visual fixation was measured using the corneal reflection technique.
- Infants were observed from 30 to 35 weeks' postmenstrual age.
Main Results:
- Distinct states of quiet awakeness and drowsiness were identified.
- Younger infants (30 weeks) spent more time in drowsiness; older infants (35 weeks) showed more quiet awakeness.
- Visual pattern fixation was present by 30 weeks and increased with postmenstrual age, being greater during quiet awakeness.
Conclusions:
- Preterm infants possess discriminable awake states that change with maturation.
- Visual fixation abilities develop significantly in preterm infants during the first weeks post-birth.
- Quiet awakeness facilitates better visual attention in preterm infants.
Abstract:
To demonstrate the presence of discriminable awake states in preterm infants, facial behaviors and visual fixation to a single patterned stimulus were recorded. Five healthy preterm infants born at a mean of 29 weeks' gestation were followed from 30 to 35 weeks' postmenstrual age. Behaviors (eye openness, movements, mouthing, and vocalizations) were recorded simultaneously with visual fixation measured by the corneal reflection technique. Test time was determined by the duration of time the infant remained awake before crying or closing eyes. The presence of both quiet awakeness and drowsiness was demonstrated. Younger infants spent more time in drowsiness, whereas older infants had more quiet awakeness. Visual pattern fixation was observed as early as 30 weeks. Fixation time increased with increasing postmenstrual age. More fixation was observed during quiet awakeness than during drowsiness.
