Longitudinal caregiver‐reported motor development in infants born at term and preterm

• Published in: Developmental medicine and child neurology 2024-06, Vol.66 (6), p.725-732
• Main Authors: Warschausky, Seth, Gidley Larson, Jennifer C., Raghunathan, Trivellore, Berglund, Patricia, Huth‐Bocks, Alissa, Taylor, H. Gerry, Staples, Angela D., Lukomski, Angela, Barks, John, Lajiness‐O'Neill, Renee, Brooks, Judith, Swick, Casey, Goldstein, Samantha, Lobermeier, Michelle, Hicks, Amanda, Cano, Jennifer, Franz, Shannon, Dixon, Najae, Oard, Kirsten, Dieter, Lesa, Kirkland, Jazmine, Robbins, Yanisa, Gorjanc, Emily, LeDoux, Gabrielle
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0012-1622; 1469-8749
• DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.15816

Aim To examine the extent to which estimates of a latent trait or underlying construct of motor ability differ in infants born at term and preterm, based on caregiver ratings of the motor domain of PediaTrac v3.0. Method The sample consisted of 571 caregiver–infant dyads (331 born at term, 240 born preterm), 48% female, with 51.7% of caregivers identifying as an ethnic minority. Latent trait of motor ability was estimated based on item response theory modeling. Gestational group differences (term and preterm birth) were examined at the newborn/term‐equivalent, 2‐, 4‐, 6‐, 9‐, and 12‐month time points. Results Caregiver ratings of latent trait of motor ability were reliably modeled across the range of abilities at each time point. While the group born preterm exhibited significantly more advanced motor abilities at the term‐equivalent time point, by 6 months the group born at term was more advanced. Biological sex difference main and interaction effects were not significant. Interpretation Caregivers provided reliable, longitudinal estimates of motor ability in infancy, reflecting important differences in the motor development of infants born at term and preterm. The findings suggest that significant motor development occurs in infants born preterm from birth to the term‐equivalent time point and provide a foundation to examine motor growth trajectories as potential predictors in the early identification of neurodevelopmental conditions and needs. What this paper adds Longitudinal caregiver ratings of motor function in early infancy yielded reliable estimates of the latent trait of motor ability. Motor ability at the term‐equivalent time point was higher in infants born preterm than infants born at term. What this paper adds Longitudinal caregiver ratings of motor function in early infancy yielded reliable estimates of the latent trait of motor ability. Motor ability at the term‐equivalent time point was higher in infants born preterm than infants born at term. Motor ability at the newborn/term‐equivalent time point is higher in infants born preterm. By the 6‐month time point, the term group was more advanced. Findings provide a foundation to examine growth trajectories for early identification of risk. Plain language summary: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/dmcn.16104