[Prone position favors motor development of infants].

OBJECTIVE

To determine the motor development in infants sleeping in the supine position compared to infants sleeping in the prone position, and to compare the levels of motor development of infants playing only in the supine position and of infants playing in the prone position as well.

DESIGN

Prospective blinded comparing study.

SETTING

Department of Physical Therapy, Maasziekenhuis, Boxmeer, the Netherlands.

METHODS

Various measuring instruments were used in the home environment to determine the levels of motor development at the age of 5 months of 21 healthy infants born at term selected from a group of 160 infants attending the infant welfare clinic.

RESULTS

Infants sleeping in the prone position (n = 8) showed a higher motor development than infants sleeping in the supine position (n = 13). Infants playing in the prone and supine position (n = 5) had a higher motor development than infants who played exclusively in the supine position (n = 15).

CONCLUSION

Sleeping and playing in the prone position was accompanied by a higher motor development in healthy mature-born infants at the age of 5 months.