Posture and movement in very preterm infants at term age in and outside the nest.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to evaluate the use of nests on general movements (GM) and posture in very preterm infants at term age.

METHOD

Seventeen high-risk preterm infants-less than 30 weeks of gestation (GA)-underwent a video recording, lying in supine position, with or without nest. Posture, GM quality, and movements made around the child's midline, as well as abrupt movements and frozen postures-in extension or flexion of the four limbs-were analyzed.

RESULTS

Nest did not modify quality of GM. Children significantly adopted a curled-up position. The nest system was associated with an increase in movements toward or across the midline, as well as reduction of the hyperextension posture and head rotation movements. Frozen postures in flexion or extension, as well as abrupt movements of the four limbs, were reduced but not significantly.

CONCLUSIONS

Nest helps very preterm infants to adopt semi-flexed posture and facilitates movements across the midline and reduces movements of spine hyperextension, without GM global quality modifications.