Head lag in infancy: What is it telling us?

Abstract

Objective. To investigate changes in head lag across postmenstrual age and define associations between head lag and (1) perinatal exposures and (2) neurodevelopment. METHOD. Sixty-four infants born ≤30 wk gestation had head lag assessed before and at term-equivalent age. Neurobehavior was assessed at term age. At 2 yr, neurodevelopmental testing was conducted. RESULTS. Head lag decreased with advancing postmenstrual age, but 58% (n = 37) of infants continued to demonstrate head lag at term. Head lag was associated with longer stay in the neonatal intensive care unit (p =.009), inotrope use (p =.04), sepsis (p =.02), longer endotracheal intubation (p =.01), and cerebral injury (p =.006). Head lag was related to alterations in early neurobehavior (p