Early developmental milestones and age of independent walking in orphans compared with typical home-raised infants

• Orphaned infants had delays in early gross motor development from 4 to 8 months.
• Infants in the study orphanage walk independently at an older age compared with home-raised infants.
• Infants placed in institutional care should be monitored for delayed motor development so interventions can be recommended.

AimEarly gross motor development is a major indicator of global milestones in the first year of life, affecting the walking ability of a child. There has been limited research reporting on early motor development and the age of independent walking of orphaned infants compared to typical home-raised infants. The purpose of this study was to compare the mean scores of early gross motor movement at 4, 6 and 8 months of age and at the age of walking attainment of typically raised infants and orphaned infants. In addition, we looked to compare the walking age between these same infants.Materials and methodsThis cross-sectional study recruited 59 typical home-raised infants and 62 orphans. Their gross motor development was assessed using the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS). The age of walking attainment was also prospectively monitored and ascertained. The Student's independent t-test was used to analyse the differences of the AIMS scores at 4, 6 and 8 months of age and at the age of independent walking between the two groups.ResultsThe orphans showed significantly lower AIMS scores at 4, 6 and 8 months of age and the age of independent walking (P-value < 0.05). The orphan group had a 5-month older mean age of walking attainment (15.0 ± 4.2 months) compared with typical home-raised infants (9.9 ± 1.4 months).ConclusionOrphans have delays in early gross motor development and walk independently at an older age, compared with home-raised infants.