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Importance: Preterm infants are at higher risk of motor development abnormalities and sensory processing difficulties. Few studies have examined both movement development and sensory processing in the early months of life, and the results are controversial. Objective: In this cross-sectional study, we investigated (1) differences in early spontaneous movements and sensory processing between preterm infants born at <32 wk gestation and those born at 32 to 36 wk gestation when they reached corrected (postterm) age 3 to 5 mo and (2) the relationship between early spontaneous movements and sensory processing. Participants: We included 50 preterm infants born at <32 wk gestation and 61 preterm infants born at 32 to 36 wk gestation. Outcomes and Measures: We assessed early spontaneous movements, including fidgety movements, using the General Movements Assessment (GMA), which provides the Motor Optimality Score (MOS), and sensory processing using the Infant Sensory Profile–2. Results: The preterm infants born at <32 wk gestation had lower MOS results (p =.035) and more sensory processing difficulties (p =.006) than those born at 32 to 36 wk gestation. We found no significant relationship between early spontaneous movements and sensory processing (p >.05). Conclusions and Relevance: Preterm infants born at <32 wk gestation are at increased risk for motor development abnormalities and sensory processing difficulties. What This Article Adds: Assessment of both motor development and sensory processing can play a crucial role in identifying infants who need early intervention. Assessment of both motor development and sensory processing can play an essential role in identifying infants who need early intervention, which occupational therapy practitioners can play a crucial role in. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Down syndrome is a chromosomal abnormality in which muscle tone, motor development, and sensory systems are affected. The objectives of this study were to examine the changes in movements and postures of 3- to 5-month-old infants with Down syndrome and infants who were neurotypical controls during exposure to a rough-textured surface and to compare the differences occurring before and during an exteroceptive condition that was different between the 2 groups. Methods In this quasi-experimental study, participants were 20 infants with Down syndrome (8 female infants; age range = 10–18 weeks, mean [SD] = 12 weeks 2 days [2 weeks 2 days]) and 20 age-matched infants with typical development (8 female infants; age range = 9–17 weeks, mean (SD) = 12 weeks 6 days [1 week 5 days]). The movements and postures of the infants, including fidgety movements, were assessed according to the General Movements Assessment, which determines the Motor Optimality Score (MOS), on 2 surfaces. Results The MOS outcomes of the infants with Down syndrome (median = 21.5, range = 6–28) were significantly lower than those of the infants who were neurotypical (median = 28, range = 23–28) on a standard mattress. The postures were found to be significantly better in infants with Down syndrome during exposure to a rough-textured surface. The MOS did not change due to the different exteroceptive experiences in infants with Down syndrome and infants who were neurotypical. Conclusion The different exteroceptive experiences caused only postural alterations, which might play a crucial role in early intervention programs for infants with Down syndrome. Impact This is the first study, to our knowledge, on the effects of different exteroceptive conditions, such as a coco coir mattress covered with muslin fabric, on the early motor repertoire in infants with Down syndrome. The findings showed that infants with Down syndrome had heterogeneity in their fidgety movements and large variability of the MOS, and the MOS results from infants with Down syndrome were lower than those of infants who were neurotypical. Fidgety movements and the MOS did not change due to the different exteroceptive experiences in either group. Significant improvements in posture were observed during exposure to a rough-textured surface. The improvement of posture is essential; clinicians might consider the positive effect of putting an infant with Down syndrome on a rough-textured surface and include this strategy in early intervention programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Various studies showed that gestational diabetes (GDM) might cause changes in the infants' brains. The study aimed to examine early spontaneous movements in term infants born to mothers with GDM and to compare results with the infants in the control group in which both the infant and mother had no risk factors. Methods: A total of 60 infants, 30 of whom were term born to mothers with GDM and 30 in the control group, were included in the study. The early spontaneous movements of the infants were assessed using General Movements Assessment (GMA) which functionally assesses the integrity of developing nervous system between 9-and 20-post-term weeks. In addition to fidgety movements, movement and postural patterns were analyzed with detailed analysis, and the Motor Optimality Scores (MOS) were determined. Differences between the groups were compared using Pearson chi-squared, Fisher's exact, and Mann-Whitney U tests. Results: The median (min-max) values of gestational age and birth weight of infants born to mothers with GDM and infants in the control group were 38 weeks (min-max=37-41 weeks); 38 weeks (min-max=37-40 weeks), and 3260 grams (minmax= 2020-4560); 3425 grams (min-max=2620-4000 grams), respectively, and there was no significant difference between the groups (p>0.05). The assessment ages of infants were 14 weeks (min-max=11-19 weeks) and 13 weeks (min-max=11-17 weeks), respectively, and there was no difference between the groups (p=0.151). When GMA results were examined, there was a difference between the groups in MOS (p<0.001), ageadequate movement repertoire (p<0.001), and observed postural patterns (p=0.002), while no significant difference was found in fidgety movements (p=0.237), observed movement patterns (p=0.206), and movement character (p=0.301). Conclusion: Our study has shown that infants born to mothers with GDM might have a higher risk of developmental problems than infants without risk factors. It is recommended that infants who do not have fidgety movements or have low MOS results should be followed-up and referred to early-intervention according to their needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of Exercise Therapy & Rehabilitation is the property of Yavuz Yakut and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of Exercise Therapy & Rehabilitation is the property of Yavuz Yakut and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)