OBJECTIVE: To analyze and describe the neuropsychomotor development of low birth weight preterm infants in the first two years of life. METHODS: This cross-sectional study enrolled preterm infants between 4 and 24 months old at the follow up clinic of Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina, Florianópolis, Brazil. The children were assessed in three moments: 8, 11 and 14 months (chronological age). The sample, initially composed by 69 individuals, was chosen intentionally according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The Brunet and Lèzine's Scale was used to evaluate development in the following areas: hand-eye coordination, language, posture and sociability. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. RESULTS: The average gestational age was 31 weeks and the birth weight, 1236g. The global development quotient improved from the first to the last assessment, reaching 85% of scores within the normal range in the third assessment. The specific areas of hand-eye coordination and language had the worst initial results, while posture had the best scores. Correlation was found between birth weight and posture, language and social areas at the first assessment and between birth weight and social and hand-eye coordination at the third assessment. CONCLUSION: Deficits of neuromotor development of the studied population were more evident in the first months of life. Although the follow-up did not show statistic differences between the first and last assessment, there was an improvement in all areas of development.
child development; infant, premature; infant, low birth weight
