title: Proximal and distal adjustments of reaching behavior in preterm infants.
abstract: The authors aimed to investigate proximal and distal adjustments of reaching behavior and grasping in 5-, 6-, and 7-month-old preterm infants. Nine low-risk preterm and 10 full-term infants participated. Both groups showed the predominance of unimanual reaching, an age-related increase in the frequency of vertical-oriented and open hand movement, and also an increase in successful grasping from 6 to 7 months. The frequency of open hand was higher in the preterm group at 6 months. Intrinsic restrictions imposed by prematurity did not seem to have impaired reaching performance of preterm infants throughout the months of age.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiotherapy, Neuropediatrics Section, Federal University of Sao Carlos, Brazil. toledo_am@yahoo.com.br
authors.forename: Aline Martins
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: de Toledo
authors.forename: Daniele de Almeida
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Soares
authors.forename: Eloisa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tudella
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D018730:Infant Behavior; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement; D011597:Psychomotor Performance