The long-term predictive validity of early motor development in “apparently normal” ELBW survivors

• Published in: Early human development 2012-08, Vol.88 (8), p.637-641
• Main Authors: Danks, Marcella, Maideen, Mohammad Fauzan, Burns, Yvonne R, O'Callaghan, Michael J, Gray, Peter H, Poulsen, Leith, Watter, Pauline, Gibbons, Kristen
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Advanced Basic Science; Biological and medical sciences; Child; Child, Preschool; ELBW; Embryology: invertebrates and vertebrates. Teratology; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Infant; Infant, Extremely Low Birth Weight - growth & development; Infant, Newborn; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Motor; Motor Skills; Motor Skills Disorders - epidemiology; Neonatal and Perinatal Medicine; Postural control; Predictive Value of Tests; Predictors; Sensory motor
• ISSN: 0378-3782; 1872-6232
• DOI: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2012.01.010

Abstract Background Within the able majority of ELBW survivors, there is a lack of identified predictors of which children will require extra support despite having escaped significant disability. Aims Investigate the predictive validity of early motor scores, compared to that of perinatal descriptors or early growth, on long-term motor impairment in non-disabled ELBW (< 1000 g) children. Study design Prospective longitudinal study. Outcome measures 48 non-disabled ELBW children (27 male) completed the Neurosensory Motor Developmental Assessment (NSMDA) at 8 months, 2 years and 4 years post term and The Motor Assessment Battery for Children (MABC) at 11–13 years of age. Other possible predictors of long-term outcomes (gestational age, birthweight, multiple birth, head circumference measures and gender) were retrieved from the records. Results Early motor assessment (NSMDA score) independently predicted the MABC total score at 11–13 years of age with a positive predictive value of 87% by 4 years post term. There was increased risk of long-term motor impairment associated with male gender but the degree of prematurity, multiple birth status or early growth measures did not predict motor outcome. Postural control and sensory motor scores at 4 years post term, rather than neurological score, were associated with long-term motor outcomes for the ELBW children at 11–13 years of age. Conclusions Early motor scores are valid markers of long-term motor outcomes for “apparently normal” ELBW children. Early postural competence and sensory motor function are discriminating in regards to long-term motor function in neurologically normal ELBW children.