DESENVOLVIMENTO MOTOR INFANTIL E O TESTE DE DESEMPENHO MOTOR INFANTIL (TIMP): UMA REVISÃO SOBRE AVALIAÇÃO PRECOCE E CONTEXTOS DE RISCO

The survival rate of newborns with perinatal complications has increased due to advancements in medical care and technology. As a result, there has been a rise in neurobehavioral disorders among these infants. Early diagnosis is crucial, given the brain's intense neural plasticity during the first few years of life, which facilitates early intervention and optimizes outcomes. Identifying these disorders relies on the use of reliable, validated scales that have demonstrated sensitivity and specificity. This narrative review aims to discuss several key areas: the theoretical framework regarding the evolution of infant motor development, the importance of contextual factors for development during the first year of life, the characteristics of at-risk infants, and the instruments used to assess motor development in both preterm and full-term infants during the first months of life. Additionally, this review examines the description and validity of the Test of Infant Motor Performance (TIMP) in both Brazil and worldwide. Method: An online search was conducted in the Medline, LILACS, Google Scholar, PubMed, and SciELO databases from January 2024 to January 2025. The search included 145 articles, 13 books, and three official government documents. This review covers the following topics: (1) The origin and evolution of infant motor development; (2) The importance of context for development; (3) The characteristics of preterm infants; (4) Instruments for assessing motor development in preterm and full-term infants during the first months of life; e (5) The Test of Infant Motor Performance (TIMP). Conclusions: This review emphasizes the importance of early and accurate assessment of motor development in children. Understanding motor development milestones and the factors that may influence them—such as care conditions, environmental stimulation, and cultural practices—is essential. In this context, the use of validated and reliable assessment tools is crucial for the early detection of developmental delays, enabling more effective and timely interventions.