Gait Characteristics of Children Born Preterm

Abstract

Walking is a central skill of daily living. A delay in the onset of walking can be a sign of abnormal motor development. Further, abnormalities in gait can also affect physical functioning. Children born preterm are at significant risk for neurodevelopmental impairments; however, little is known about how preterm birth affects walking. This review describes current evidence of walking in children born preterm with a focus on the age at onset of walking and comparisons of gait characteristics of children born preterm with those born full-term.

Biomechanical analysis of gait patterns in children with intellectual disabilities

“…In ID group, active and antagonistic muscles cannot coordinate, causing extensor muscles to tense and affecting motor performance. TD children have mature gait characteristics, with fully extended support legs and completely relaxed swinging legs (Albesher et al ., 2019). However, ID children's knee joints cannot fully extend, swinging legs cannot completely relax, and the muscle tension is abnormal, causing joint stiffness and a smaller range of lower limb movement, which are consistent with the action characteristics of the primary gait stage (Gallahue, 1968).…”

Preterm Birth Affects Early Motor Development in Pigs

“…A previous study on gait development at 1 week of age in preterm and term pigs revealed only minor differences, although shorter strides and step lengths were present in preterm pigs after normalization for their smaller size (9). Interestingly, shorter strides are also observed in preterm infants, although such effects may disappear at later ages (1,6). No longitudinal postnatal locomotion studies comparing preterm and term counterparts are available in pigs or infants.…”

“…Previous studies on motor skills in preterm pigs showed that more days were required to achieve basic motor skills (time to first stand and walk), with lower overall physical activity level, compared with term pigs (9)(10)(11). Similarly, in preterm infants delayed or absent physical movement predict a delay in onset of first walking (6) and walking coordination (1,19). A previous study on gait development at 1 week of age in preterm and term pigs revealed only minor differences, although shorter strides and step lengths were present in preterm pigs after normalization for their smaller size (9).…”

“…Thus, it is not surprising to note high prevalence of neuromotor dysfunctions and poor movement coordination in preterm infants (1,(3)(4)(5). Even for infants not diagnosed with specific brain defects (e.g., cerebral palsy) and having normal intelligence, preterm birth may result in motoric challenges, as evidenced by 20-40% incidence of moderate motor impairments, developmental coordination disorders, and neurological dysfunctions (1,3,4,6). Preterm birth is a multifactorial syndrome that requires support at many levels, including the need to facilitate optimal neurodevelopmental outcomes.…”

“…Whether postnatal, rather than post-conceptional age, is the main driver of neuromuscular maturation is unclear. Rapid postnatal adaptation of neuromuscular development would encourage specialized neonatal support to reduce later dysfunctions (6,21,22).…”