Babies born smaller than expected for their age sometimes struggle with movement skills like rolling, crawling, and walking. Scientists reviewed research to understand why this happens and what can help. They found that these babies’ brains develop differently, especially in areas that control movement. The good news? When babies get physical therapy, good nutrition, and lots of family interaction early on, they can catch up. This review shows that catching these delays early and starting help right away gives these children the best chance to develop normally.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Why babies born smaller than normal sometimes have trouble with movement skills, and what treatments help them develop better
  • Who participated: This was a review of many different studies about babies born small for their age (called SGA). It looked at research involving thousands of babies from birth through childhood
  • Key finding: Babies born small are at higher risk for movement delays, but early help with physical therapy, nutrition, and family activities in the first two years can make a big difference in how well they develop
  • What it means for you: If you have a baby born smaller than expected, early check-ups and intervention programs are really important. Talk to your doctor about screening and support services available in your area

The Research Details

Scientists reviewed published research studies about babies born small for their age to understand what we know about their movement development. Instead of doing one new experiment, they looked at findings from many different studies to see what patterns emerged.

They focused on three main areas: what risk factors make movement problems more likely, what happens in the baby’s brain to cause these problems, and what treatments actually work. By combining information from many studies, they could see the bigger picture of how this condition affects children.

This type of review is helpful because it brings together all the current knowledge on a topic and helps doctors and researchers understand what we know and what we still need to learn.

This approach matters because movement development in early childhood is connected to learning, thinking skills, and language development. If we can identify babies at risk and help them early, we might prevent bigger problems later. The review helps doctors know what signs to look for and what treatments have the best evidence behind them.

This is a narrative review, which means experts read through research and summarized what they found. This type of review is helpful for understanding a topic broadly, but it’s not as strict as a systematic review where researchers follow very specific rules about which studies to include. The findings are based on existing research, so the quality depends on the studies reviewed. This review should be seen as a helpful summary of current knowledge rather than definitive proof.

What the Results Show

Babies born small for their age are more likely to have delays in movement skills compared to babies born at normal weight. These delays can show up early and sometimes continue as the child grows. The risk is higher when babies are born very small, born too early, or had problems in the womb.

The research shows that these movement problems happen because of changes in how the baby’s brain develops. Two areas of the brain are especially affected: the white matter (which helps different brain parts communicate) and the cerebellum (which controls balance and coordination). These brain changes can happen before birth or after, and they make it harder for babies to control their movements.

Inflammation in the baby’s body and brain also plays a role. Babies born small sometimes have more inflammation, which can affect how their brains develop. This is one reason why good nutrition and care after birth are so important.

The review found that movement delays in babies born small can affect other areas of development too. When babies struggle with movement, it can slow down their thinking skills and language development because movement and learning are connected. Babies learn about the world by moving and exploring, so movement delays can limit these learning opportunities.

The research also showed that family involvement makes a big difference. When parents and caregivers are trained to help with movement activities and provide lots of interaction, babies do better. This suggests that early intervention programs that include family training are more effective than treatments done only by therapists.

This review confirms what earlier research suggested: babies born small do face real challenges with movement development. However, it adds important new information about why this happens (brain changes and inflammation) and what can help (early intervention with nutrition, therapy, and family support). The findings support the idea that early help is better than waiting to see if the baby catches up on their own.

This review looked at existing studies but didn’t do new research itself, so the findings are only as good as the studies reviewed. Some studies included might have been small or done in different ways, which makes it harder to compare results. The review doesn’t tell us exactly how much help babies need or when is the best time to start treatment. More research is needed to figure out the best timing and type of intervention for different babies.

The Bottom Line

If your baby was born small for their age, ask your doctor about developmental screening in the first few months of life. Early intervention programs that include physical therapy, nutritional support, and family training should be started as soon as possible if delays are found. These programs work best when started before age 2. Talk to your healthcare provider about what’s available in your area.

Parents and caregivers of babies born small should pay attention to this research. Healthcare providers, pediatricians, and early intervention specialists should use this information to identify at-risk babies and offer help early. Teachers and childcare providers might also benefit from understanding why some children need extra support with movement skills.

Babies can show improvement in movement skills within weeks to months of starting therapy and getting better nutrition. However, some children may need ongoing support through their early childhood years. The first two years are the most critical time for intervention, but benefits can continue as children grow.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • If your baby was born small, track weekly movement milestones like head control, rolling over, sitting up, and crawling. Note the dates these skills appear and share this information with your doctor at check-ups to monitor progress
  • Set reminders for daily movement activities with your baby: tummy time, gentle stretching, reaching for toys, and interactive play. Log these activities in the app to ensure consistency and see patterns in your baby’s development over time
  • Use the app to track your baby’s participation in early intervention services (physical therapy visits, nutrition consultations) and note any improvements in movement skills. Create a long-term record to share with healthcare providers and monitor progress toward developmental milestones through age 3

This review summarizes research about babies born small and movement development. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. If you have concerns about your baby’s movement or development, please consult with your pediatrician or healthcare provider. Early intervention services should be recommended and monitored by qualified healthcare professionals. The findings presented are based on existing research and should be discussed with your doctor to determine what’s appropriate for your individual situation.