RESUMO
AIM: The aim of the study was to assess general spontaneous motor development in the neonatal phase in groups of neonatal high-risk preterm infants who were differentiated by post-conceptional (PCo) age until term age. METHOD: The sample included 54 preterm infants (<32â¯weeks of gestational age) with low birthweight and neurological injuries of both sexes. The General Movements Assessment (GMA) was used to evaluate motor development from 30 to 40â¯weeks of PCo age, using the General Movements Optimality Score (GMOS). Between-group and within-group comparisons were performed. RESULTS: Significant differences in GMOS scores and the upper extremities score, specifically in the neck and trunk, were found between 30 and 33â¯weeks, 34 and 36â¯weeks, and 38 and 40â¯weeks of PCo age. Preterm infants had gradually higher GMOSs from 30â¯weeks of PCo age to term age (38-40â¯weeks of PCo age). No significant differences in general movements were found between 30 and 33 and 34 and 36â¯weeks of PCo age. CONCLUSION: The preterm infants presented poor spontaneous motor movements, assessed by the GMOS, but gradual improvement was observed from 30â¯weeks of PCo age until term age.