Electromyographic activity of head and trunk muscles in newborns

Samile Dos Santos Barros,José Eulálio Cabral Filho,Rafael Moura Miranda,Kaísa Trovão Diniz,Renata Santiago Reges

doi:10.1590/1980-5918.032.ao68

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: The electric activity of muscles can be assessed using electromyography to determine their function and help identify possible delays in motor development. Objective: Determine the amplitude of the electromyographic activity of the head and trunk flexor and extensor muscles of term and preterm newborns. Method: This is a longitudinal pilot study where 20 preterm and 20 term newborns admitted to the Prof. Fernando Figueira Institute of Comprehensive Medicine were assessed. All the newborns were evaluated between 24 and 72 hours after delivery, with the premature children assessed a second time when term equivalent age was reached at 40 weeks. Data were recorded using a surface electromyograph and the electrodes were attached to the muscle bellies of the sternocleidomastoid, upper portion of the trapezius, rectus abdominis and erector spinae muscles. Results: Comparison of the electromyographic activity between the preterm newborns showed significantly higher values in all the muscles when the group reached term equivalent age. Additionally, the electromyographic activity of the term group was greater than that obtained by the preterm newborns. Conclusion: With advancing age and maturation of the physiological systems, including the muscle system, preterm newborns tend to exhibit a similar muscle activation behavior to that of the term infants, resulting in better motor development.

Highlights

The electric activity of muscles can be assessed using electromyography to determine their function and help identify possible delays in motor development
The electromyographic activity of the term group was greater than that obtained by the preterm newborns
Delayed motor development is typically associated with the presence of hypotony in preterm newborns, who exhibit extension postures in the supine position

Summary

Introduction

The electric activity of muscles can be assessed using electromyography to determine their function and help identify possible delays in motor development. Objective: Determine the amplitude of the electromyographic activity of the head and trunk flexor and extensor muscles of term and preterm newborns. All the newborns were evaluated between 24 and 72 hours after delivery, with the premature children assessed a second time when term equivalent age was reached at 40 weeks. Results: Comparison of the electromyographic activity between the preterm newborns showed significantly higher values in all the muscles when the group reached term equivalent age. Given that the head movements of children are an important influence on subsequent motor development acquisition [5], efficient organization of shoulder, trunk and neck muscles is essential [8]. Trunk control, which stabilizes posture [9], initiates with antigravitational domination of the head, followed by control of the upper, middle and lower thoracic and lumber regions [10,11]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion