Sitting Acquisition and Early Communication Development

Are There Associations in Very Preterm Infants at Six Months of Corrected Age

Bibliographic Data

ID15719097
AuthorsValentina Graziosi (0009-0009-2730-5510, University of Bologna), Chiara Suttora (0000-0001-9967-1899, University of Bologna), Cecilia Gorini (University of Bologna), Mariagrazia Zuccarini (0000-0002-8138-9729, University of Bologna), Caterina Verganti (0009-0001-0691-9347, University of Bologna), Arianna Aceti (0000-0001-9274-985X, Azienda USL di Bologna), Isadora Beghetti (0000-0003-4819-1830, Azienda USL di Bologna), Luigi Corvaglia (0000-0002-8119-7743, Azienda USL di Bologna), Annalisa Guarini (0000-0002-3739-2162, University of Bologna), Alessandra Sansavini (0000-0002-1991-9864, University of Bologna, corresponding author)
Year2024
Volume11
Issue12
Pages1538-1538
Publication date2024-12-18
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueChildren (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2227-9067 • E-ISSN: 2227-9067
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/children11121538
PMID39767967
OpenAlexW4405610977
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited72

Background : Research in typically and some atypically developing populations showed associations between early motor and communication development, documenting how postural development can support communicative advancements. However, these relations have scarcely been investigated in the preterm population. Aims : The present study aimed to describe motor (gross and fine motor) and communication (receptive and expressive) skills of very preterm infants at six months of corrected age and their associations, focusing on sitting posture achievement and early vocal production. Methods : Seventy very preterm infants (≤32 weeks) with no major brain injuries were assessed with the BSID-III for gross and fine motor skills, receptive and expressive language skills, and cognitive skills and were categorized as mastering (sitters), partially mastering (emerging sitters), or not mastering (non sitters) unsupported sitting. The proportional duration of sitting postures (caregiver supported, arms supported, and unsupported) in an observative section was coded with the Interact software (version 20.8.3.0). Frequency per minute of vocal utterances (vocalizations, babbling, and total) during a parent-infant play interaction was coded with the CHILDES software v11. Results : Correlational analyses showed significant positive associations between motor composite score and language scores (composite and expressive scaled) and between gross motor and expressive language scaled scores but a negative association between arms supported sitting duration and vocal utterances. In addition, ANCOVAs showed that sitters had significantly higher BSID-III expressive language scaled scores and vocal utterances than non sitters and emerging sitters. Conclusions : These findings brought new evidence linking early motor and vocal development in very preterm infants, emphasizing the importance of using observational tools alongside standardized ones to identify developmental delays and plan tailored intervention programmes

Developmental psychology · Pathology · Sitting · Infant Development and Preterm Care · Infant Health and Development · Language Development and Disorders · Medicine · Psychology · Pediatrics

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