Longitudinal Development of Segmental Trunk Control in Full Term and Preterm Infants- a Pilot Study: Part II
Tamis W Pin ORCID Icon, Penelope B Butler, Hon-Ming Cheung & Sandra Lai-Fong Shum
Received 16 Dec 2018, Accepted 06 Jun 2019, Published online: 17 Jun 2019
Download citation  https://doi.org/10.1080/17518423.2019.1629661 

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ABSTRACT
Purpose: To explore the relationship between segmental trunk control and specific gross motor skills at 4, 8 and 12 months of (corrected) age in young infants.

Methods: Thirty-one preterm infants and 30 full-term infants were recruited by convenience. All infants were tested using the Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control and the Alberta Infant Motor Scale at 4, 8 and 12 months of age.

Results: The gross motor function in supine at 4 months and in the standing position at 12 months was significantly delayed in the preterm infants. Positive correlations were found between segmental trunk control levels and specific motor skills in prone, supine, sitting and standing positions at 8 and 12 months of age.

Conclusion: This report was the first to demonstrate the association between segmental trunk control and specific gross motor skills in young infants. This new information provides clinicians with greater understanding about infant development.

KEYWORDS: Infant, postural control, child development, motor skills