OBJECTIVES: to assess the frequency of late motor development in premature children admitted to a neonatal unit and to identify associated factors. METHODS: a descriptive analytical study carried out at the Neonatal Unit of a high-risk maternity hospital in Recife, Brazil. Motor development was assessed using the Test of Infant Motor Performance, in 98 preterm children with a minimal post-conception age of 34 weeks, during admission to hospital, between January and June 2009. Associations were examined between variables relating to the mother, the newborn, the care provided and motor development. RESULTS: the mean post-conception age on evaluation was 37 weeks and 39.8% of the children had some kind of impaired motor development (atypical or suspected to be atypical). Factors significantly associated with changes in motor development were: lower birth weight; higher age on evaluation; greater number of prenatal sessions; occurrence of hypoxia and bronco-pulmonary dysplasia; longer stay in ICU and neonatal unit. There was a significant trend for motor development to worsen with prolonged use of oxygen-therapy and mechanical ventilation. CONCLUSIONS: premature children admitted to hospital may show early signs of delayed motor development of a severe or borderline nature. Birth weight, neonatal morbidities and care received at the neonatal unit were the factors that most strongly influenced the outcome. These results justify initiation of preventive strategies and stimulation while the child is still in hospital.
Infanti; premature; Child development; Developmental disabilities; Intensive care units neonatal; Early diagnosis
