[Study of motor function development at 8 and 12 months of age in preterm and at term children].
OBJECTIVE
To compare the development of motor function in children born preterm with those born at term, at 8 and 12 months of age. To investigate the relation of motor function quality at the age of 8 months with motor ability at 12 months.


METHODS
Thirty-two children participated in this study: 16 were born preterm (risk group) and 16 were born at term (control group). The spontaneous movements of the children were assessed at 8 months and their mobility skills and independence were assessed at 12 months (corrected ages for the preterm group), using standardized developmental tests (AIMS and PEDI, respectively). Data were analysed using independent t-tests (between-group comparison) and Pearson correlation coefficients (within-group comparison).


RESULTS
There was no significant difference in motor function, between those born preterm with those born at term, either at 8 or at 12 months of age. In the control group, there was significant association (r=0.67; p=0.004) between movement at 8 months and mobility skills at 12 months. In the risk group, there was significant relationship between skills and independence in mobility, at 12 months corrected age (r=0.80; p=0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
Preterm born children, without other disorders and with age correction, might show a similar motor development as those born at term. The path for the acquisition of motor abilities in preterm born children appears to differ among those infants.
Mancini
Marisa C
MC
Departamento Terapia Ocupacional, Escola de Educação Física, Fisioterapia e Terapia Ocupacional, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Brasil. mcmancin@metalink.com.br
Teixeira
Silvana
S
de Araújo
Louise G
LG
Paixão
Maria Lúcia
ML
Magalhães
Lívia de Castro
Lde C
Coelho
Zélia Araújo Cotta
ZA
Gontijo
Ana Paula Benseman
AP
Furtado
Sheyla Rossana Cavalcanti
SR
Sampaio
Rosana Ferreira
RF
da Fonseca
Sérgio Teixeira
ST
D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000502:physiology*; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology*; D012307:Risk Factors