Parachute and lateral propping reactions in preterm children

• Published in: Arquivos de neuro-psiquiatria Vol. 60; no. 4; pp. 964 - 966
• Main Authors: Ohlweiler, Lygia, da Silva, Alexandre R, Rotta, Newra T
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazil Academia Brasileira de Neurologia - ABNEURO 01-12-2002; Academia Brasileira de Neurologia (ABNEURO)
• Subjects: Child Development - physiology; Cohort Studies; Female; Gestational Age; Humans; Infant, Low Birth Weight; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature - physiology; lateral propping; Male; Motor Skills; NEUROSCIENCES; parachute; Posture - physiology; preterm newborn; Prognosis; PSYCHIATRY; Psychomotor Disorders - physiopathology; psychomotor performance; Psychomotor Performance - physiology; Reflex - physiology; parachute; lateral propping; paraquedismo; preterm newborn; recém nascido prematuro; psychomotor performance; desenvolvimento neurológico; apoio lateral
• ISSN: 0004-282X; 1678-4227; 0004-282X; 1678-4227
• DOI: 10.1590/S0004-282X2002000600014

A non-controlled, prognostic cohort study was performed with the aim of establishing markers of neurological development and defining a clinical and epidemiological profile of preterm newborns at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months of gestation-corrected age in terms of parachute and lateral propping reactions. Newborns with gestational age of up to 36 weeks and 6 days, weighing 2,000 g or less at birth, were included in the study At 6 months of age, parachute and lateral propping reactions were present in 8.1% of the patients. At 9 months, the parachute reaction was present in 87.5%, and the lateral propping reaction was present in 90% of the children. It was possible to assess parachute and lateral propping reactions in preterm children in the first year of life. Alterations in trunk-limb coordination may be evidenced in the 1st year of life through postural reactions, which are maintained as prematurity markers until school age.