The prenatal, postnatal, neonatal, and family environmental risk factors for Developmental Coordination Disorder: A study with a national representative sample

• Published in: Research in developmental disabilities 2020-09, Vol.104, p.103699, Article 103699
• Main Authors: Du, Wenchong, Ke, Li, Wang, Yun, Hua, Jing, Duan, Wen, Barnett, Anna L.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: China; Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD); Motor development; Risk factor
• ISSN: 0891-4222; 1873-3379
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2020.103699

•Obstetric and environmental factors both predict DCD independently.•Male sex and higher BMI are risk factors for DCD.•Placenta previa and placental abruption are independent risk factors for DCD.•Preterm birth is an independent risk factor for DCD.•Parents’ education and one-child status are independent risk factors for DCD. Knowledge of obstetric and environmental influences on Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) helps provide increased understanding of the mechanisms underlying the disorder. However, the literature to date has not adequately examined the obstetric and environmental risk factors for DCD in a population-based sample. The current study was therefore conducted to explore the prenatal, perinatal, neonatal, and family environmental risk factors for DCD. A total of 2185 children aged 3–10 years from a national representative sample in China were included; the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 was used to assess motor function, and a questionnaire was completed by parents. DCD was identified in 156 children according to the DSM-5 criteria. Multilevel logistic regression was used, and comparisons were made between the DCD and non-DCD group. The results confirmed that male sex, BMI score, preterm birth, and some prenatal conditions are significant risk factors for DCD. Parents' education level and one-child status as two significant environmental risk factors for DCD appear largely independent of other risk factors in the Chinese population. This study provides an opportunity to explore the etiology of DCD and suggest potential assessment, monitoring and intervention programs for DCD that could be examined in the future.