Effect of body position on later postural and functional lateralities of preterm infants.

The effects of body position during the neonatal period on subsequent functional and postural behaviours were examined in relatively low-risk preterm infants. 44 infants were nursed in the supine position and 37 in a prone position throughout their admission period. Persistent head-turning to the right was observed more often and continued longer in the infants lying in supine. Asymmetrical postures, e.g. of skull and trunk, were more often seen in infants lying in supine than in prone. The prone position was thought to help prevent infantile scoliosis. At nine months, preference for the right hand was more marked in infants lying in supine, whereas infants lying in prone used their hands bilaterally, a tendency that persisted at 18 months. Asymmetrical gait pattern with mild gait disturbance was found more often in infants lying in supine than in prone. The prone position was thought to prevent asymmetrical posture and excessive functional asymmetries.