Rambling-trembling analysis of postural control in children aged 3-6 years diagnosed with developmental delay during infancy

Background: Preschool age is fundamental for the development of gross motor skills. Timely detection of postural stability deficits using objective methods would facilitate early implementation of therapeutic strategies. Research question: What are the ageand gender-related differences in postural control between preschool children diagnosed with developmental delay in their first year of life and children with typical development? Methods: The study group consisted of 59 children diagnosed with developmental delay during infancy, who had received physiotherapy in the first year of their life for disorders of postural control and prone locomotion as well as abnormal distribution and magnitude of postural tone. The control group comprised 66 nursery school children with typical development and no history of postural control or movement deficits and no physiotherapy interventions in the first year of their life. The study and control groups were subdivided into four subgroups based on age (3-4 years, 5-6 years) and gender (boys, girls). The data were collected during quiet standing using a force plate. Three 30-second trials were recorded. Stabilographic recordings were analysed using the rambling-trembling approach. Results: Three-way ANOVA revealed a gender effect on all measured variables (p < 0.05). The Tukey HSD (honest significant difference) post-hoc test showed that some of the values of sway range and mean velocity of COP, rambling and trembling in sagittal and frontal plane were significantly greater in control boys aged 3-4 years compared to other subgroups (p < 0.05). Significance: Long-term postural control monitoring by a pediatrician and/or physiotherapist seems justified and not only in children with a history of infantile developmental delay but also in their healthy peers, especially boys.