Motor development analysis of three-year-old children born preterm through the Motor Development Scale - Case Report

Prematurity and low birth weight are conditions that may compromise the normal development of a child at different stages of development. Considering that these conditions may cause delay in the acquisition of motor skills, it is important to evaluate, detect and prevent possible changes in motor development. Objective: To investigate the influence of prematurity and low birth weight on the motor development of children of three years old relating chronological age to general motor age. Methods: This is an analysis of five cases of preterm children 32.1 (± 1.82) weeks and underweight 1704 (± 384.41) grams, mean chronological age of 43.2 (± 2.59) months, evaluated through the Motor Development Scale (MDS) in the Laboratory of Electromyography and Kinematics (LAELCIN) of the Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro (UFTM), considering general motor age (GMA) and chronological age (CA) as variables. Case: The five preterm and low birth weight children presented a difference between the mean general motor age (37.6 ± 7.40) months and the mean chronological age (43.2 ± 2.59) months, indicating delayed motor development. Conclusion: It was observed the absence of linearity of the variables, indicating delay in the motor development, thus justifying the necessity and importance of the longitudinal monitoring of this population for early detection and intervention.