Thesis (M.Sc.) - Cairo University - Faculty of Physical Therapy - Department of Growth and Development Disorders in Pediatrics

Background: Assessment of postural reactions provides important information for clinical decision-making in pediatric physical therapy and selection of appropriate treatment goals, suggestion and strategy. Objective: This study was conducted to describe postural reactions from sitting and standing positions through measuring the angles of neck, trunk, upper and lower limbs in normal infants at different ages using video motion analysis. Methods: Two hundred infants from both sexes, aged from 6 {u2013} 18 months, were selected from nurseries and day care centers to participate in this study. They were categorized into two main groups (I & II) according to their ages. Group I aged from 6 {u2013} 10 months and then subdivided into two subgroups: subgroup Ia aged from 6 {u2013} < 8 months and subgroup Ib aged from 8 - 10 months. Group II aged from 12 {u2013} 18 months and then subdivided into two subgroups: subgroup IIa aged from 12 {u2013} < 15 months while subgroup IIb aged from 15 {u2013} 18 months. Postural reactions were evaluated from sitting position for all infants in group I and from standing position for all infants in group II. Head righting angle, trunk righting angle, Rt. and Lt. shoulder angular displacement were measured for all infants in both groups I and II using Kinovea computer program. Moreover, Rt. and Lt. hip angular displacement were measured for all infants in group II. Results: Statistically significant differences were found between groups (I & II) and between subgroups (Ia & Ib) regarding head righting angle, trunk righting angle, Rt. and Lt. shoulder angular displacement (P< 0.05). Comparison between subgroups (IIa & IIb) showed a significant difference of Rt. and Lt. shoulder angular displacement, Rt. and Lt. hip angular displacement (P< 0.05), while there was no significant difference of head righting angle and trunk righting angle between subgroup IIa and subgroup IIb (P=0.254, P=0.752 respectively). Conclusion: It can be concluded that variability of postural reactions decreases with age

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