Achieving motor development milestones at the age of three months may determine, but does not guarantee, proper...

Area of Science:

• Pediatrics
• Developmental Neuroscience
• Physical Therapy

Background:

• Proper motor performance by 3 months is vital for subsequent infant development.
• Early identification of motor impairments is essential for timely intervention.
• Existing assessment methods may lack sensitivity or predictive value for subtle delays.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the reliability, sensitivity, and predictive value of a novel qualitative motor performance assessment tool.
• To compare the new tool's findings with standard neurological assessments at 3, 6, and 9 months of age.
• To determine the tool's efficacy in diagnosing major developmental disorders and predicting motor delays.

Main Methods:

• A cohort of 123 infants (term/preterm, with/without complications) were assessed at 3, 6, and 9 months.
• A physiotherapist evaluated 15 qualitative motor features at 3 months (prone/supine positions).
• Neurological assessments determined the degree of developmental disorder; correlations were analyzed.

Main Results:

• A statistically significant correlation was found between neurological and qualitative physiotherapeutic assessments.
• Qualitative assessment scores were excellent in healthy infants, decreasing with more severe neurological diagnoses.
• Infants with cerebral palsy consistently lacked typical 3-month qualitative features; those with delays showed early impairments that improved over time.

Conclusions:

• The 3-month qualitative motor assessment is a reliable and sensitive tool for identifying developmental disorders.
• This assessment serves as a strong predictor of delayed motor development.
• Early qualitative motor evaluation aids in timely diagnosis and intervention for infants.