Predicting Age of Independent Walking in Preterm Infants: A Longitudinal Study Using Neonatal Characteristics and Motor Development Variables.

Objective: To formulate an equation estimating months to independent walking in moderate to late preterm infants based on neonatal characteristics and gross motor development from 7 months to independent walking.

Methods: Sixty infants born between 32 to 36 weeks were assessed using Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) for gross motor development. Neonatal characteristics were recorded at 7 months, and caregiver-reported independent walking onset. Pearson correlation analyzed age, AIMS scores, and neonatal factors. Multiple regression developed the prediction equation.

Results: The equation for independent walking onset, which included gestational age (GA) at birth, total AIMS score at 10 months of age (10th AIMS), and birth head circumference (BHC), exhibited a strong correlation (r=0.707) and had a predictive power of 50.0%. The equation is as follows: age onset of independent walking (months)=33.157, -0.296 (GA), -0.132 (10th AIMS), -0.196 (BHC), with an estimation error of 0.631 months.

Conclusion: Neonatal characteristics, such as GA, 10th AIMS, and BHC, are key determinants in estimating the onset of independent walking in moderate to late preterm infants.