Effect of early postural management on gait development in preterm infants:a retrospective study

Background Independent walking is an important milestone in motor development and an important indicator of developmental follow-up in preterm infants. The aim of this study is to understand the effect of early postural management on gait development in preterm infants. Methods A retrospective study was performed for the effect of early postural management on gait development in 622 preterm infants, there were 321 cases in the experimental group and 301 cases in the control group. Both groups underwent regular early exercise intervention and developmental evaluation, and the experimental group regularly visited the hospital for postural management guidance for 3 months after visiting the rehabilitation department. The sex, age, gestational age, and age of independent walking were collected in the two groups, at the same time, gait video observation and analysis results, Berg balance index and the gross motor function development quotient (DQ) score of GESELL test results in the two groups were recorded before and after 3 months. Results There were no significant differences in sex, age, gestational age, and age of independent walking between the two groups (P>0.05). There were no significant differences in the ratio of ankle, knee, hip, pelvis, torso and upper limb swing control, Berg balance index and gross motor DQ score between the two groups before postural management (P>0.05). After postural management for 3 months, the ratio of ankle, knee, hip, pelvis, trunk and upper limb swing control were higher than those in the control group without posture management, and Berg balance index and the DQ score of gross movement in the experimental group were higher than those in the control group, and all the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05). Conclusions Early postural management promotes the control of each joint during walking, balance function and gross motor development, thereby playing a positive role in the gait development of preterm infants.