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M Tshabalala
DEVELOPMENT OF LOCOMOTION:
VENTRAL SUSPENSION
A Newborn held in prone position with the hand under the abdomen,
almost complete lack of head control is observed.
At 6 weeks begins to momentarily hold the head in plane of the body
At 8 weeks maintain position & at 12 weeks head held beyond the
plane of the rest of body
Development of Head control
First ± 4 weeks: complete head-lag, PTS
Newborn baby: PTS shows head lag
± 2 months: head lag not complete, PTS 3 - 4 mo: slight to NO Head lad
One Month (First 4 weeks):
At 4 wks, gravity and development of ext. reduce
physiological flexion, baby more extended
Head lifting in prone is improved, and wt is shifted
caudally, thus improving head control
Neck flexion in supine appear minimal during PTS,
indicates that muscles are elongated by gravity and dev. Of
active extension
NB: Antigravity action of muscles not yet developed!
One Month (4 weeks…)
Gross Motor: Ventral suspension (VS) – Elbows flexed, hips partly
extended, knees flexed.
Prone: pelvis high, kns under abdomen. Momentarily lifts chin off the
couch. Head predominantly turned to one side.
PTS: almost complete head lag,
Supine: ATNR seen at rest
Held in standing: flops at kns and hips. Walking reflex when sole of foot
stimulated.
Hands: mostly fisted, Grasp reflex evident.
General Understanding: watches mother’s face when spoken to.
TWO MONTHS (8 WEEKS):
Stage of asymmetry characterized by hypotonia, thus the child has
decreased flexion and increased extension
Physiological flexion significantly reduced by gravity and extensor activity
Extensor activity not yet balanced by active antigravity flexion
Prone: hips more ext, pelvis closer to the surface at rest.
This decreases fwd wt shift, making head turning & lifting easier, but the head
cannot be maintained in midline during ext. The hands wt-bear a little due to
increased active shoulder abd.