Member May 2026: Positioning of Preterm Infants: Evidence Based Strategies for Neurodevelopmental Protection and Prevention of Musculoskeletal Deformities-Session Recording

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The session, hosted by the Pediatric Rehabilitation Community, focused on positioning preterm infants in the NICU to support neurodevelopment and prevent musculoskeletal deformities. Speakers Dr. Gary Satlina and Dr. Mary Gorji explained how fetal bone, joint, and muscle development depends on intrauterine movement and loading, and how preterm infants are vulnerable to gravity-related postures after birth.<br /><br />The talk reviewed common deformities such as neck hyperextension, frog-leg positioning, everted feet, and head shape changes like plagiocephaly, brachycephaly, and scaphocephaly. These can affect head control, hand-to-midline movements, crawling, gait, feeding, sensory input, and long-term milestones.<br /><br />Evidence from the literature showed that supportive positioning devices and nesting can improve posture, reduce extensor behaviors, improve sleep, reduce pain during care, and enhance feeding responses. The speakers also discussed practical challenges in the NICU, including medical equipment, instability, and variability in cloth-roll positioning.<br /><br />Their unit is implementing standardized positioners and running a study comparing head-support devices to see which better prevents deformities. Overall, the presenters emphasized that pediatric rehabilitation specialists can play an important role in NICU positioning protocols and research.

Keywords

preterm infants

NICU positioning

neurodevelopment

musculoskeletal deformities

supportive positioning devices

plagiocephaly

nesting

head-support devices

pediatric rehabilitation