行政院國家科學委員會專題研究計畫成果報告:早產兒行走達成前之下肢動作發展及可能影響之因素(2/2)

Supported stepping movements have been proposed as the precursors to
independent walking and their maturational process has been extensively studied in
term infants to help understand walking development. However, the information
concerning walking development on preterm infants is limited. Therefore, the
purposes of this prospective, two-year follow-up study were twofold. First, we
examined the development of leg movements in preterm infants and term infants
when supported stepping on a treadmill from 7 months corrected age to walking
attainment. Second, we examined factors that may influence the age of walking
attainment of preterm infants and term infants. This study included term infants (n=
20), low-risk preterm infants (n= 14), and high-risk preterm infants (n= 14) who were
born at the National Taiwan University Hospital. The groups were matched for gender
and parental socio-economic status. Infants were scheduled for the first examination
at 7 months corrected age and were followed up every two months until walking
attainment or 18 months corrected age. At each visit, infants were examined for
supported stepping movements on the treadmill, gross motor development,
anthropometry, body composition and cognition. The results of this study will help
understand the walking development of preterm infants and normal term infants.
Furthermore, the early neuromotor dysfunction for walking attainment and the
identified influencing factors will provide health care professionals useful guidance in
making early treatment plans for preterm infants with motor delays.