The Landau reaction in fullterm and preterm infants at four months of age.

Twelve normal fullterm infants and 11 low-risk preterm infants were assessed at four months of age. Assessments included a Three-Component-Scale for the Landau reaction, the Touwen Scale for the Landau reaction, the Bayley Scales of Infant Development Motor Scale, and the Movement Assessment of Infants Muscle Tone Scale. A statistically significant relationship was found between gestational age (preterm vs. fullterm birth) and scores on the hip and kicking subcomponents on the Three-Component-Scale for the Landau reaction, and also between gestational age at birth and scores on the summary of tone-extremities and total risk score items on the Movement Assessment of Infants. Although preterm and fullterm infants may not show differences in scores on motor developmental level assessments, variations in postural reactions and muscle tone may be present at four months of age.