Purpose: No previous study examined trunk control development in preterm infants. The present study examined the longitudinal development of segmental trunk control from 4 to 12 months of (corrected) age in preterm infants in comparison with full-term infants.Methods: Thirty-one preterm infants and 30 full-term infants were recruited. All infants were tested monthly using the Segmental Assessment of Trunk Control and the Alberta Infant Motor Scale at 4, 8 and 12 months of age.Results: Segmental trunk control development was significantly delayed in the preterm infants. Statistically significant positive correlations were found between trunk control status and gross motor skills.Conclusion: This was first study showing that segmental trunk control development was significantly different in preterm infants. Segmental trunk control and gross motor performance were coupled in young infants. A dual focus on training upright trunk control and specific motor skills may maximise therapy outcomes for infants with motor delay.

中文翻译：

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足月和早产儿节段性躯干控制的纵向发展-一项初步研究：第一部分。

目的：以前没有研究检查早产儿躯干控制的发展。本研究调查了早产儿与足月儿相比，从4到12个月（矫正）年龄段节段躯干控制的纵向发展。方法：招募了31例早产儿和30例足月儿。使用4、8、12个月大的躯干控制分段评估和艾伯塔省婴儿运动量表每月对所有婴儿进行测试。结果：早产儿的分段躯干控制发展明显延迟。在躯干控制状态和总体运动技能之间发现统计学上显着的正相关。结论：这是第一项研究，显示早产儿分段躯干控制发展显着不同。小婴儿的节段性躯干控制和总体运动表现相结合。对训练直立的躯干控制和特定运动技能的双重关注可能会最大化运动延迟婴儿的治疗效果。