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Risk factors for fine and gross motor development in preterm and term infants
Francine Manara Bortagarai1, Anaelena Bragança de Moraes2, Fernanda Dos Santos Pichini3
1Departamento de Fisioterapia, Universidade do Pampa (UNIPAMPA), Uruguaiana (RS), Brasil.
Insights
Infant motor development delay is linked to various factors, including maternal history, infant biological risks, and family psychosocial issues, with psychic risk being particularly significant. Understanding these associations aids in early intervention for children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Developmental Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- Motor development is crucial for infant well-being.
- Preterm and term infants face varying developmental trajectories.
- Identifying risk factors for motor delay is essential for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine sociodemographic, obstetrical, and psychosocial factors associated with fine and gross motor delay.
- To investigate these associations in infants aged 3 months to 12 months.
- To differentiate risk factors in preterm versus term infants.
Main Methods:
- The Denver II Test assessed fine and gross motor skills in infants across three age phases.
- Data on sociodemographic, obstetrical, and psychosocial factors were collected via interviews and specific protocols (Child Development Risk Indicators, PREAUT).
- Logistic regression analysis was employed to identify significant associations.
Main Results:
- Maternal history (pregnancy planning, delivery type, prenatal care, medication use) was associated with motor delay.
- Infant characteristics (gender, mechanical ventilation, feeding issues) and sociodemographic factors (maternal education, household size) were significant.
- Psychosocial factors, especially family participation and psychic risk, showed a strong association with motor development delay.
Conclusions:
- Motor development delay in infants is significantly associated with a combination of environmental and biological variables.
- Psychic risk emerged as a particularly influential factor in infant motor development.
- These findings highlight the importance of a holistic approach to assessing and supporting infant development.
Purpose:
To investigate the association of sociodemographic, obstetrical and psychosocial factors with fine and gross motor developmental delay in preterm and term infants, in the age group of three months and one day to twelve months and twenty-nine days.
Methods:
The term and preterm infants were evaluated by the Denver II Test for fine and gross motor skills, investigated in three phases: 165 infants in phase 1 (3 months and 1 day to 4 months and 29 days), 130 infants in stage 2 (8 months and 1 day to 9 months and 29 days) and 102 infants in phase 3 (11 months and 1 day to 12 months and 29 days). Sociodemographic, obstetrical and psychosocial data were obtained through an initial interview with family members and the psychic risk assessment through the Child Development Risk Indicators and PREAUT protocols. Statistical analysis was performed using the logistic regression model.
Results:
Significant factors in the association with fine and gross motor delay were: maternal gestational and obstetric history (planned pregnancy, type of delivery, number of prenatal consultations, use of medication and gestational intercurrence), features and biological risks of the baby (gender, mechanical ventilation, feeding difficulty), sociodemographic factors (career and level of maternal schooling, number of children and people in the house) and psychosocial issues concerning to the family routine participation and presence of psychic risk.
Conclusion:
There was a significant association between motor development delay of the infants, environmental and biological variables, with emphasis on psychic risk.
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