title: Characterization of the motor performance of newborns in a neonatal unit of tertiary level.
abstract: To characterize the motor performance of newborns in a neonatal unit of tertiary level and compare the results to the values recommended by the Test of Infant Motor Performance (TIMP).
  Newborns between 34 and 416/7 weeks of corrected gestational age, breathing spontaneously and presenting state of consciousness 4 or 5, according to Brazelton, were included. TIMP was used to evaluate the motor performance.
  The age groups of 34-35 and 36-37 weeks showed on average TIMP scores similar to the reference values (p>0.05), while in the age groups of 38-39 weeks and 40-41 weeks TIMP scores were statistically lower than the reference values (p<0.001 and p=0.018, respectively). The 34-35 and 36-37 week groups were rated as average, while the 38-39 and 40-41 week groups were defined as low average. Classifications below average and very below average were not observed.
  The newborns showed average scores compared to the TIMP reference values; however, there were two groups whose performances were within the low average. There was no significant difference in motor performance of newborns in the age groups of 38-39 and 40-41 weeks. This behavior suggests that the sample studied has special features that possibly negatively influenced their motor performance. The results showed that the TIMP is a very useful tool and can be used safely in tertiary neonatal units.
authors.affiliation: Physiotherapist, Instituto da Criança, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo (HC-FMUSP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Luciana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Giachetta
authors.affiliation: Physiotherapist, Instituto da Criança, Hospital das Clínicas, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo (HC-FMUSP), São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Carla Marques
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Nicolau
authors.affiliation: Director of the Physiotherapy Service, Instituto da Criança, HC-FMUSP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Regina Célia Turola Passos
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Juliani
authors.affiliation: Full Professor of Intensive Care/Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, FMUSP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Werther Brunow de
authors.initials: WB
authors.lastname: Carvalho
authors.affiliation: Habilitation (BR: Livre-docência) - Head Physician of the Neonatal Center, Instituto da Criança, HC-FMUSP, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Vera Lúcia Jornada
authors.initials: VL
authors.lastname: Krebs
mesh_terms: D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D047929:Term Birth / Q000502:physiology*; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers