Continuity of Leg Movements in VLBW Premature Infants: From Spontaneous Kicking and Supported Stepping to Independent Walking

NCT ID: NCT00354783

Last Updated: 2006-07-20

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: UNKNOWN
• Total Enrollment: 15 participants
• Study Classification: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2007-01-31
• Study Completion Date: 2007-12-31

Brief Summary

The purposes of this one-year follow-up study are twofold: (1) to prospectively examine the spontaneous kicking and the supported stepping movement in VLBW premature infants until attainment of independent walking; and (2) to assess factors (i.e. gross motor development, cardiopulmonary function, anthropometry, body composition and cognition) that could potentially influence walking attainment in VLBW premature infants.

Detailed Description

Very low birth weight (VLBW) preterm infants (birth weight < 1,500g) sustain a high risk of neuromotor disability, as exemplified by delayed walking attainment. Spontaneous kicking and supported stepping have been proposed as the early precursors to independent walking. The continuity of these early leg movements with independent walking has been established in normal term infants, but such relations remain unclear in VLBE premature infants. Therefore, the purposes of this one-year follow-up study are twofold: (1) to prospectively examine the spontaneous kicking and the supported stepping movement in VLBW premature infants until attainment of independent walking; and (2) to assess factors (i.e. gross motor development, cardiopulmonary function, anthropometry, body composition and cognition) that could potentially influence walking attainment in VLBW premature infants. This study will enroll 15 VLBW premature infants born at National Taiwan University Hospital. Infants will be scheduled for spontaneous kicking examination at 2 and 4 months of corrected age, followed by supported stepping examination at 9 and 11 months of corrected age and recorded their age of walking attainment. Age of walking attainment is defined as the time when the child is first able to move for five successive steps without support. At each visit, infants will be examined for spontaneous kicking or supported stepping movements (with three-dimensional kinematic analysis of Peak Motion Analysis System), gross motor function (with the Alberta Infant Motor Scale), cardiopulmonary function (with a pulsed oxymeter), anthropometry (with scale and tape measure), body composition (with the Pediatric Plicometric System) and cognition (with the Chinese Child Development Inventory- Cognitive Subscale). The results of this study will provide important information to help reveal the maturation process of early leg movements prior to walking attainment in premature infants. Furthermore, the identified early neuromotor markers and influencing factors for walking attainment will provide physical therapists useful guidance in making early treatment plans for those premature infants who will develop motor delays.

Conditions

Premature Birth

Keywords

Very low birth weight premature infants; Kicking; Stepping; Walking; Motor development; Kinematics

Study Design

• Observational Model Type: CASE_CONTROL
• Study Time Perspective: PROSPECTIVE

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• BW below 1500 gm
• GA under 37 weeks

Exclusion Criteria

• Existence of congenital anomalies and genetic disease

• Minimum Eligible Age: 0 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 2 Months
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

National Taiwan University Hospital

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Principal Investigators

Suh-Fang Jeng, Sc.D

Role: STUDY_DIRECTOR

National Taiwan University

Central Contacts

Pei-Shan Chen

Role: CONTACT

Phone: 886-2-27785715

Email: gad657@ms15.hinet.net

Other Identifiers

9361701209

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id