An investigation into the development of early postural control

Eighteen normal infants were studied longitudinally using video and photographic records of their levels of lying and sitting ability. A developmental sequence of postural control in lying and sitting was confirmed in the normal infants. All infants reached level 4 prone and supine lying ability before achieving level 3 sitting ability (maintaining independent sitting). 34 children with cerebral palsy in a cross-sectional study could be ascribed a level of sitting or lying ability. The relationship found in normal infants between lying and sitting was confirmed in all the children with cerebral palsy.