OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to characterize the pattern and rate of motor skill acquisition among preterm infants from newborn to four months corrected age, in comparison with a group of full-term infants. METHODS: Twelve healthy preterm infants (mean gestational age=33.6 weeks ± 1.25) and 10 healthy full-term infants (mean gestational age=39.1 weeks ± 0.73) participated in the study. These infants were assessed monthly (0-4 months of age) using the Test of Infant Motor Performance (TIMP). RESULTS: The motor performance pattern increased over the months in both groups, with variability in the total scores at all ages. The preterm group presented a higher mean score than shown by the full-term group between one and four months of age. In the full-term group, the motor acquisition rate was higher from age newborn to one month than from age three to four months. It was also found that the caregivers of the preterm infants began toy stimulation earlier than did the caregivers of the full-term infants. Both groups presented mean scores below the TIMP values. CONCLUSIONS: The preterm infants presented a pattern of motor development similar to the typical pattern regarding the sequence of abilities achieved. The preterm infants also presented a faster rate during the neonate period at one month of age. This suggests that correction for prematurity is unnecessary for preterm infants with these characteristics and that follow-up programs should instruct parents and caregivers to begin stimulation with toys at one month of age, thereby providing early exploration of various motor skills.
premature birth; infant development; performance test
