Motor asymmetries in the human newborn are state dependent, but independent of position in space

Rönnqvist, Louise and Hopkins, Brian (2000) Motor asymmetries in the human newborn are state dependent, but independent of position in space. Experimental Brain Research, 134 (3). pp. 378-384. ISSN 0014-4819

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Abstract

Human newborns have a preference for turning and maintaining the head to one side of the body. Most studies confirm a right-sided preference in supine. Few have addressed the state dependency of this lateral bias, and even fewer have examined whether it is also expressed in the semi-upright position. We investigated whether it varies as a function of behavioural state and position in space. Kinematic recordings of head movements were made with the newborn secured on a platform in the supine or semi-upright position, which alleviated biomechanical and postural constraints imposed by gravity. Newborns differed as to whether they had a vertex, Caesarean or breech delivery. The majority of infants maintained a right-sided preference in both positions, but it was strongly mediated by state. Delivery type did not account for any lateral bias. These findings provide convincing evidence that a lateral bias in movement and positioning of the head are reflections of active neural processes rooted in the regulation of state

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Experimental Brain Research
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/2800/2800
Subjects:
?? human newborns head position preference head movements behavioural state delivery typegeneral neuroscienceneuroscience(all) ??
ID Code:
70115
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
25 Jul 2014 08:26
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
16 Jul 2024 09:35