Asymmetrical head-turning of preterm infants: some effects on later postural and functional lateralities.

Asymmetrical head-turning and its effects on subsequent functional lateralities and postural asymmetries were examined in 44 relatively low-risk preterm and 53 fullterm infants. Persisting head-turning to the right was observed more often among preterm infants, as was an asymmetrical skull with flattened right occiput and head-turning to the right. Asymmetrical trunk posture was present in 20 preterm and four fullterm infants. At nine months right-hand preference was more marked in preterm infants, and hand preference was well coincident with head-turning. Changes in hand preference occurred more often among fullterm infants. Asymmetrical gait seemed to correlate with head-turning in preterm infants.