Comparing the motor behaviors between normal and low birth weight neonates

According to studies conducted by the World Health Organization, every year nearly 25 million neonates are born with Low Birth Weight (LBW). Many researches show that LBW infants who stay alive, suffer from physical, mental and social problems more than the appropriate birth weight infants. Although developmental assessment of neonates is very difficult in the first days of life, it is important to diagnose and treat the problems at an early stage. The present study was done to compare the motor behaviors between normal and LBW neonates. This research was a cross sectional study in which 80 neonates were randomly allocated into LBW (40) and normal birth weight (40) groups. Motor behaviors of neonates were evaluated with Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale (NBAS) on the first day of life. All measurements were taken with the same equipment and by the same person. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 18 and Independent T-test. Results demonstrated that general tone (p=0.01), motor maturity (p= 0.001) and pull to sit (p=0.005) showed significant differences between two groups. According to the findings of the current study, LBW neonates show more immature motor behavior than neonates with normal weight and are at lower level. It seems that these neonates may be at risk of motor impairments and require intensive care and earlier supplementary intervention.