MOTOR DEVELOPMENT, INFANTILE REACTIONS AND POSTURAL RESPONSES OF PRETERM, AT-RISK INFANTS

Eighty-nine low-birthweight, preterm infants were enrolled in a longit udinal study to describe motor development, infantile reactions and po stural responses during the first chronological year of life and to de termine the relationship between these behaviors. There was a clear tr end from prevalence of primitive patterns, such as the asymmetric toni c neck reflex, towards a prevalence of mature postural reactions such as the Landau, righting and protective extension reflexes. Statistical analysis suggested that a relationship exists between infantile patte rns, automatic postural reactions and motor development that is simila r to that accepted as normal in term infant development, when allowanc e is made for preterm birth. Correlations were also obtained between i ntegration of the tonic labyrinthine response and the presence of the asymmetric tonic neck pattern at the time of hospital discharge and la ter achievement of motor milestones. These relationships warrant furth er investigation.