Differences in walking attainment ages between low-risk preterm and healthy full-term infants.
OBJECTIVE
To compare gross motor development of preterm infants (PT) without cerebral palsy with healthy full-term (FT) infants, according to Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS); to compare the age of walking between PT and FT; and whether the age of walking in PT is affected by neonatal variables.


METHODS
Prospective study compared monthly 101 PT and 52 FT, from the first visit, until all AIMS items had been observed.


RESULTS
Mean scores were similarity in their progression, except from the eighth to tenth months. FT infants were faster in walking attainment than PT. Birth weight and length and duration of neonatal nursery stay were related to walking delay.


CONCLUSIONS
Gross motor development between PT and FT were similar, except from the eighth to tenth months of age. PT walked later than FT infants and predictive variables were birth weight and length, and duration of neonatal intensive unit stay.
Department of Neurology, Medical School, Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. aprestiffe@sgl.com.br
Ana P
AP
Restiffe
José Luiz D
JL
Gherpelli
D000367:Age Factors; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight / Q000254:growth & development*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000254:growth & development*; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology; D018743:Perinatal Care; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D047929:Term Birth / Q000502:physiology*; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology*