Physiotherapeutic Interventions for the Development of Motor Control in Premature Infants: An Integrative Review

Introduction

Premature birth is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as birth occurring in infants born alive before 37 completed weeks of gestational age, with a multifactorial etiology that is not yet fully understood. According to 2020 data, approximately 13.4 million babies were born prematurely worldwide, representing 1 in 10 births. Although advances in perinatal care have reduced the mortality of premature newborns in recent decades, developmental alterations are still frequent. In this context, children born prematurely have a higher risk of morbidity due to incomplete fetal development and greater vulnerability to infections, which can lead to functional limitations throughout life. Therefore, early intervention has been widely highlighted as a fundamental strategy to minimize such impairments, as it promotes neuroplasticity and functional adaptation to therapeutic stimuli. Thus, structured stimulation programs contribute to improved postural control, motor coordination, and the acquisition of motor milestones.