Fine motor development in children with chronic malnutrition

Abstract

Introduction: Children with chronic malnutrition present several delays that may compromise the development of fine motor skills. Objective: To verify how the fine motor skills is regard to chronological age and the genders in children aged to 24 to 48 months with chronic malnutrition. Method: Descriptive study was carried out in a low-income community in Maceió, Alagoas, Brazil. Malnourished children were recruited in Nutritional and Educational Center and eutrophic children in a local kindergarten, both from the same low-income community. The Rosa Neto Motor Development Scale (EDM) was used for assessed children fine motor skills and weight and height measurements were performed for assessed children nutritional status. Descriptive statistics and the t-test (p < .05) were used. Results: Twenty three children (10 girls and 13 boys) composed the study sample. Out of the sample, 11 children formed the cases (malnourished) and 12 the control group (eutrophic). The age for fine motor skill (IM1) was lower among the cases (M = 26.18) compared to controls (M = 47; p<0.001), and among the girls (M = 33.6) in relation to the boys (M = 39.69; p<0.001). Conclusion: It is possible that malnutrition has been decisive in lower references in cases, presenting a significant impact on the overall child development, since delays in this area can characterize motor difficulties regarding to learn for reading and writing abilities. As well as associated with numerous motor problems such grip, unsafe trace, and impulsive movements.