Children growing up in poverty conditions, specifically in households where the per capita income is less than R$ 178 per month, may show delays in motor development from the first months of life. This finding was made by research conducted by the Federal University of São Carlos, which monitored 88 babies, 50 of whom lived in economic vulnerability.
How were the delays assessed?
The methodology used focused on observing the acquisition of motor skills. This includes checking the time it takes for the baby to reach, hold, and manipulate an object, as well as when they can sit up unassisted. It also analyzes whether the baby moves directly toward the object or uses multiple movements to explore it, indicating that they are still in the learning phase.
What factors can cause these delays?
Several factors were pointed out as potential causes of these difficulties, such as the mother's low level of education, lack of information on how to stimulate the baby, and scarcity of appropriate toys. The absence of simple items, such as balls, mats, or toys that promote fine motor skills, like rattles or objects that aid in grip development (pincer movements), was also mentioned.
Additionally, living with many people in the same residence was a relevant factor. Participating mothers reported feeling insecure about putting the babies on the floor, a practice essential for developing abdominal and back muscles and enabling movement.
Within the scope of the study, it was observed that these delays could be reversed after the mothers received guidance and began stimulating the babies more frequently. Regarding the consequences of not receiving adequate stimulation, although the monitoring period was three to eight months, preventing definitive statements about future development, scientific literature suggests that if there are no more motor delays, the condition is normal. However, babies who persist with delays due to lack of stimulation may face problems in school age, such as difficulty holding a pencil or imbalance during physical education classes.
It was noted that male babies had a 2.5 times higher probability of developing motor delays. One explanation raised is that boys have greater susceptibility to inflammation, contain more free radicals in their blood, and have a higher risk of being born prematurely and needing neonatal intensive care. Another possibility considered is the difference in social expectations imposed on boys and girls, but this point requires future studies.
