title: A prospective study of the development of laterality: neonatal laterality in relation to perinatal factors and maternal behavior.
abstract: As part of an investigation of the development of laterality, 150 neonates were tested for bilateral asymmetries in behavior. Palmar and plantar grasping, and head-turning preference were measured, and observations were made of the way mothers held their babies and laid them in their cribs. Overall, right head-turning predominated. However, the side on which the baby had been lain pre-test markedly affected head-turning behavior: 120 of 147 babies turned predominantly to the right after lying on the right, whereas only 75 did so after lying on their left side (p < .001). There was no predominant asymmetry in the population in palmar or plantar grasping. These findings are explored in relation to perinatal factors and maternal behavior.
authors.affiliation: Department of Child Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Manchester.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Smart
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008425:Maternal Behavior; D009949:Orientation; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D012016:Reference Values