OBJECTIVE: To review the literature about factors that may influence the occurrence of motor development deficits in low birth weight infants. DATA SOURCES: Studies with low birth weight infants published from 1984 to 2008, using the databases Medline and SciELO. Keywords were "low birth weight" and "motor development"; search was made on the English language. DATA SYNTHESIS: Although variations in the development of children born preterm and full term are common, their understanding is still a challenge for professionals in the pediatric health area. Researchers use different assessments and scores, which makes the deficits more difficult to be diagnosed, understood and predicted. Different results are found depending on the type of evaluation, age and the population studied. It is well known that low birth weight infants are at a higher risk for cognitive, motor and behavioral problems. On this basis, a variety of studies that explore early intervention were expected; however, this is not the case. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the relationship between motor and other domains of development, its use is important for diagnostic purposes. There is a need to standardize results for a better understanding of the deficits that low birth weight children are likely to develop
infant, low birth weight; motor skills; developmental disabilities