Perfil das crianças assistidas em uma instituição de abrigo infantil do município de Governador Valadares e impacto do atendimento fisioterapêutico no desenvolvimento motor

Abstract

Introduction: The children's shelters are frequently known as places of negative impact on the neuromotor development because of factors like unqualified caregivers, overcrowded and reduced space, with little chances of promoting adequate sensory stimulation for a child. Methods: Longitudinal epidemiology study carried out between January 2016 and December 2019, on an infant shelter in Governador Valadares, Minas Gerais. Analysis of children's health conditions, factors related to institutionalized and motor development was performed by data collection on institution documents, and physiotherapy assessment forms. Results: 105 children participated in this study, being 79 (75.2%) girls and 58 (55.2%) up to four years old. Of the institutionalized children, 72 (68.6%) were attended by physiotherapy, 18 (25%) were assessed by the Alberta Infant Motor Scale and 12 (16.7%) appeared delayed motor development. Of these, eight showed adequate motor development after receiving physical therapy accompaniment. Conclusion: The physical therapy intervention was satisfactory to improve the motor abilities and reverse the child’s condition. The motor developmental delay of the institutionalized may be associated with experienced situations previously the institutionalization. The insertion of a physical therapist in this environment is indispensable to promote the motor development of institutionalized children.