TY  - CHAP
M1  - Book, Section
TI  - Gross Motor Development
A1  - Malcolm, William F.
PY  - 2015
T2  - Beyond the NICU: Comprehensive Care of the High-Risk Infant
AB  - Role  of  the  neonatal  physical  therapistThe  role  of  the  physical  therapist  (PT)  in  a  neonatal  intensive  care  unit  (NICU),  transitional  care  unit,  or  follow-up  clinic  is  to  evaluate  and  treat  the  sensorimotor  function  of  the  developing  infant.  Physical  therapists  trained  to  work  in  this  clinical  area  are  not  only  considered  specialists  in  the  multifaceted  aspects  of  infant  development,  but  are  also  acute  care  specialists,  with  extensive  clinical  expertise  in  dealing  with  critically  ill  pediatric  patients.  The  purpose  of  an  evaluation  by  a  neonatal  PT  is  toRecognize  musculoskeletal  impairments.Identify  positioning  techniques  to  improve  flexion.Determine  ways  to  enhance  neurobehavioral  organization  through  adaptations  in  the  infant's  environment.The  physical  therapist's  goal  of  promoting  an  infant's  sensorimotor  development  needs  to  be  addressed  as  soon  as  the  parent  and  the  infant  are  stable  after  birth.  Providing  positioning  and  environmental  recommendations  to  the  parents  and  nursing  team  can  be  instrumental  in  preventing  posture  and  movement  deviations  typically  seen  in  acutely  ill  infants.  A  PT  is  often  one  of  the  first  team  members  to  educate  parents  on  the  specific  developmental  needs  of  the  “high-risk  infant.”Patient  populationThe  typical  patient  population  seen  by  the  neonatal  PT  can  be  divided  in  two  main  categories:  preterm  and  sick  term  infants.  These  patients  are  often  termed  high-risk  infants  because,  although  their  early  life  experiences  are  very  different,  they  show  similar  posture  and  movement  deviations  that  can  lead  to  delays  in  gross  motor  development.  These  deviations  includeAn  overall  extension  bias  in  both  posture  and  movement  (Figure  44-1)Lack  of  varied  and  vigorous  spontaneous  movement,  especially  flexion  against  gravityThese  tendencies  are  the  result  of  the  infant's  medical  diagnoses,  as  well  as  a  result  of  prolonged  illness/immobility  in  the  NICU.  
SN  - 
PB  - McGraw-Hill Education
CY  - New York, NY
Y2  - 2024/04/16
UR  - accesspediatrics.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1105545635
ER  -