Raquel Saccani1, Nadia Cristina Valentini2, Keila R G Pereira3. 1. Human Movement Science - Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil; University of Caxias do Sul, Health Science Department, Caxias do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. 2. Health and Human Performance - Auburn University, AL-EUA, United States; Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Department of Physical Education, Physiotherapy and Dance, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. Electronic address: nadiacv@esef.ufrgs.br. 3. Human Movement Science Program - Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: The lack of Brazilian norms restrains the use of the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) to precisely categorize infant motor development and discriminate infants with motor difficulties from typically developing infants. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated reference values for the AIMS for Brazilian infants. METHODS: Descriptive, cross-sectional study of infants from birth-to-18 months old. Trained professionals assessed infants in daycares, homes, and governmental health centers. RESULTS: Results showed increases in raw scores across age groups from 0- to 15-months of age. The stability of raw scores was observed after 16 months of age. Brazilian infants demonstrated lower scores in specific ages compared to the Canadian sample. CONCLUSIONS: Canadian and Brazilian children showed differences in motor performance scores across age and norms were established for Brazilian infants. This study highlights the importance to establish reference values for AIMS of infants across cultures.
INTRODUCTION: The lack of Brazilian norms restrains the use of the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) to precisely categorize infant motor development and discriminate infants with motor difficulties from typically developing infants. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated reference values for the AIMS for Brazilian infants. METHODS: Descriptive, cross-sectional study of infants from birth-to-18 months old. Trained professionals assessed infants in daycares, homes, and governmental health centers. RESULTS: Results showed increases in raw scores across age groups from 0- to 15-months of age. The stability of raw scores was observed after 16 months of age. Brazilian infants demonstrated lower scores in specific ages compared to the Canadian sample. CONCLUSIONS: Canadian and Brazilian children showed differences in motor performance scores across age and norms were established for Brazilian infants. This study highlights the importance to establish reference values for AIMS of infants across cultures.