Differences and variations in the patterns of early independent walking

Area of Science:

• Developmental Pediatrics
• Motor Control
• Infant Locomotion

Background:

• Understanding typical infant motor development is crucial for identifying potential developmental delays.
• Early walking patterns provide insights into neuromotor maturation and long-term gait development.
• Limited research compares early walking in fullterm versus low-risk preterm infants.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate and compare the early development of independent walking in fullterm and low-risk preterm infants.
• To analyze changes in walking patterns over a 4-month period.
• To identify factors influencing gait development, including asymmetries and toe-strike patterns.

Main Methods:

• Longitudinal video analysis of 50 infants (25 fullterm, 25 preterm) within 3-4 weeks of independent walking and again at 4 months.
• Utilized a semiquantitative scoring system for predetermined walking characteristics.
• Correlated early gait patterns with prewalking behaviors and motor characteristics.

Main Results:

• Wide interindividual variations in walking patterns were observed in both groups.
• No significant differences in age of onset or walking patterns between preterm and fullterm infants (corrected age).
• Gait asymmetries were common and linked to prewalking behaviors; toe-strike decreased over time but correlated with early motor traits in preterm infants.

Conclusions:

• Corrected age is a key factor in comparing walking development between preterm and fullterm infants.
• Early walking development is highly variable, with asymmetries often persisting from prewalking stages.
• Specific early motor characteristics in preterm infants may predict later walking patterns, particularly toe-strike behavior.