The role of external factors in realizing of the natural progress of the child’s motor development within the first year of life

Introduction. The development of a child in the first year of life provides the basis for their further harmonious growth. Motor development occurs in parallel with the ongoing gradual development of the nervous system. The transition to a new motor milestone is associated with the emergence of new skills; therefore, stimulation of motor development should occur in accordance with the next milestone of the nervous system development. Intervention in the natural process of the skills gaining without considering the developmental nervous system milestone leads to a change in the trajectory of motor progress of the child. Aim of the study was to assess the significance of individual elements of motor development for the function of balance and walking, as well as to identify the role of non-physiologic (contradicting motor ontogenesis) stimulation of motor skills in the evolvement of non-optimal motor patterns and impaired balance and walking function.

Materials and methods. In total, 43 children aged ≥ 12 months admitted to the «Consultative Diagnostic Department» of the Federal State Autonomous Institution «National Medical Research Center for Children’s Health» of the Ministry of Health of Russia were examined within the framework of dispensary observation in the period from December 2016 to June 2019. The assessment of motor development was carried out according to the tests and questionnaires developed. The children were divided into two groups: the treatment group, in which the intervention was carried out, and the control group.

Results. The frequency of realization of physiological patterns in children in the treatment group was 65.5%, and in the control group was 89.6%. The occurrence of the functional disorders of the musculoskeletal system was as follows: pathological functional kyphosis in the lumbar spine in children in the treatment group occurred in 73.1%, and in the control group in 26.9%; sitting on the sacrum occurred in 73.1% in the treatment group, and 26.9 % in the control group; impaired coordination in the treatment group occurred in 53.9%, and in 46.1% in the control group; decreased balance function in the treatment group occurred in 61.5%, and in 38.5% in the control group.

Conclusion. Correct interaction with a child in the first year of life, in combination with physiological stimulation corresponding to the developmental milestones of the nervous system, allows the child to implement their motor skills in a timely manner, without disrupting the natural sequence of motor development, and minimizes the risks of functional disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

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