Motor delay Persistent head lag 2020-05-04T08:26:12Z During pull-to-sit, the normal response is for an infant to right the head and maintain it in line with the shoulders. Head lag is demonstrated when the head is not righted but lags posteriorly behind the trunk as a result of poor head and neck control. Head lag Headlag The Premie-Neuro and the Dubowitz Neurological Examination score head lag in the same manner. Scoring for both is as follows: 0 = head drops and stays back, 1 = tries to lift head but drops it back, 2 = able to lift head slightly, 3 = lifts head in line with body, and 4 = head in front of body. This term applies if head lag persists beyond an expected age at a level of 0 or 1. Persistent head lag beyond age 4 mo has been linked to poor outcomes.