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Spontaneous motility in premature infants: Features of behavioral activity and rhythmic organization
Author(s) -
Hayes Marie J.,
Plante Lonnie,
Kumar Savitri P.,
DelivoriaPapadopoulos Maria
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
developmental psychobiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.055
H-Index - 93
eISSN - 1098-2302
pISSN - 0012-1630
DOI - 10.1002/dev.420260505
Subject(s) - rhythm , motility , motor activity , gestational age , circadian rhythm , medicine , audiology , physiology , psychology , biology , pregnancy , genetics
The spontaneous motor activity of clinically stable premature infants, 26–36 weeks gestational age, was investigated. Movements were recorded using a pressure‐sensitive transducer positioned below the infant's head and torso. Behavior samples were digitized every 0.5 s during 2 and 3‐hr continuous recording sessions. Time‐series analyses revealed prominent motility cycles of circa 80 min and circa 30 min. These results are consistent with periodicities in motility and REM activation observed in full‐term neonates. The longer rhythms of 70–100 min of motility found in this study establish that these periods are present at this stage of development independent of maternal zeitgebers. Developmental changes in motility rhythms and movement burst durations were also observed. Bout durations became somewhat longer in older ( > 30 weeks) infants, but the relative time devoted to movement per session was comparable in older and younger (≤ 30 weeks) infants. © 1993 Wiley & sons. Inc.