VISUAL FUNCTION AND FINE-MOTOR CONTROL IN SMALL-FOR-GESTATIONAL AGE INFANTS

ABSTRACT- Objective: To compare visual function and fine-motor control of full-term infants small-for-ges-tational age (SGA) and appropriate for gestational age (AGA), in the first three months. Method: We eval-uated prospectively 31 infants in the 1st month; 33 in the 2nd and 34 infants in the 3rd month, categorized as full-term; birth weight less than 10th percentile for SGA and 25th to 90th percentile for the AGA group. Genetic syndromes, infections, multiple congenital malformations were excluded. The Bayley Scales of Infant Development-II were used, especially items related to visual function and to fine-motor control outcomes. Results: The Motor Index Score (IS) was significantly lower in the SGA group in the 2nd month. The items “attempts to bring hands to mouth”, in the 1st month and “reaches for suspended ring”, in the 3rd month showed high-er frequency in the SGA group. Conclusion: The Motor IS was lower in the 2nd month and items of fine-motor control in the 1st month and in the 3rd month showed higher frequency in the SGA group. KEY WORDS: intrauterine growth retardation, neurodevelopment, visual function, fine-motor function. Função visual e controle motor apendicular em lactentes pequenos para a idade gestacional RESUMO- Objetivo: Comparar a função visual e o controle motor apendicular de lactentes nascidos a ter-mo pequenos para a idade gestacional (PIG) com lactentes adequados para a idade gestacional (AIG), n