Kinematic analysis of preterm newborns' spontaneous movements for postural activity assessment

Abstract

Aims. The objectives of this pilot study were to assess the potential use of 3D videography for analyzing the motion of the body center of mass (COM) in newborns and to determine differences in spontaneous movements between preterm and full-term infants. Methods. The group comprised 10 preterm newborns (gestational age at birth between 26 and 37 weeks; birth weight 800 to 2960 g; gestational age at the time of examination 34 to 39 weeks) and 10 full-term infants (gestational week 38 to 41; birth weight 2810 to 4360 g). To determine the range of motion of the COM, 3D videography was used (2 cameras, 25 Hz). When recording their movements, the infants were in the supine position, calm and awake. The recordings were processed using the APAS software. Selected points on the body were marked to obtain data for calculating the basic parameters of COM trajectories. Results. The range of motion of the COM in both craniocaudal and anteroposterior directions was significantly greater in premature infants (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively) than in full-term babies. The variability of motion of the COM was significantly greater in the craniocaudal (P < 0.01) and anteroposterior (P < 0.05) directions in preterm babies. This was also valid for the velocity of motion of the COM in the craniocaudal direction (P < 0.05). Conclusions. 3D videography can be used for experimental assessment of motor behavior in preterm infants. Basic kinematic characteristics of the motion of the COM (range, variability, velocity) are greater in preterm infants.

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“…However, specialist equipment is again required and the attachment of physical devices to the infant may significantly impact their behavioral and physiological responses, as has already been shown with routine nursing interventions and even environmental noise [28]. To overcome the practical challenges in the studies above, simpler motion analysis strategies have been proposed to capture overall variations in spontaneous movements through assessing the motions of the body center of mass [29]. The latter approach does not, however, provide information about subtle movements such as torso rotations, which are important kinematic features considered in the GMA.…”

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“…The correlations of movements made between the right leg and left leg, right arm and left arm, right arm and right leg, and right arm and left leg, were all significantly stronger in the infants who had CP (20). Halek and colleagues also used reflective markers in a small study comparing a group of preterm infants recorded at 34-to 39weeks PMA and term infants (274). While they did not follow-up the infants' long-term, they found differences in the range, variability, and velocity of movements between preterm and term infants P a g e | 32 (274).…”

“…Halek and colleagues also used reflective markers in a small study comparing a group of preterm infants recorded at 34-to 39weeks PMA and term infants (274). While they did not follow-up the infants' long-term, they found differences in the range, variability, and velocity of movements between preterm and term infants P a g e | 32 (274). This highlights the need for studies to have patient cohorts of similar gestational ages.…”