A motor milestone change noted with a change in sleep position
J. W. Jantz, C. D. Blosser and L. A. Fruechting
Newton Medical Center, Newton, Kan, USA.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate whether sleeping in the supine position resulted in
changes in gross or fine motor developmental milestones observed at
routinely scheduled well-child checkups at 4 or 6 months of age. DESIGN: A
retrospective chart review. SETTING: One private pediatric practice
involving 2 full-time and 2 part-time board-eligible or board-certified
pediatricians. SUBJECTS: The study included 343 full-term infants whose
weights were appropriate or large for gestational age, had no history of
hospitalization other than for normal newborn care, and were examined in
the office for their 4-month well-child checkup within 2 weeks of being 4
months old. METHODS: The Denver Developmental Screening Test-Revised was
administrated at the 4- and 6-month well-child checkups. The primary sleep
positions of the infants were determined by telephone survey, office
interview, or letter after the 6-month checkup was completed. Background
data collected from the mother for each mother-infant pair included
maternal age at the time of birth, parity, and marital status, Medicaid
status and ethnicity of the infant, and whether the infant was breast-fed.
RESULTS: Infants who slept in the side or supine position were less likely
to roll over at the 4-month checkup than infants who slept primarily in the
prone position (P < .001). No significant differences were found when
comparison by maternal age, parity, or marital status, Medicaid status or
ethnicity of the infant, or the use of breast-feeding were considered.
Other motor milestones screened did not show statistically significant
changes. CONCLUSIONS: Sleep position significantly influences the age of
achieving the gross motor developmental milestone of rolling over; infants
who sleep in the side or supine position roll over later than infants who
sleep in the prone position.
