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Hand preference, prematurity and developmental outcome at school age
1Department of Pediatrics, Cornell University Medical College, Ithaca, NY.
Insights
Premature children show higher rates of left- or mixed-handedness, which is associated with cognitive and behavioral deficits. Left-handedness in these children may also correlate with clumsiness in their non-preferred hand.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Neuroscience
- Child Psychology
Background:
- Premature birth is a significant risk factor for developmental and neurological complications.
- Hand preference development is a complex process influenced by various factors.
- Understanding the link between early development and later outcomes is crucial for intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate hand preference in premature versus full-term children.
- To explore associations between non-right-handedness and neurodevelopmental outcomes in premature children.
- To assess fine motor skills in relation to handedness in this cohort.
Main Methods:
- Hand preference was assessed in 88 premature and 80 matched full-term children aged 7-8 years.
- Children underwent evaluations for neurological status, IQ, ADHD, and learning disabilities.
- Non-right-handedness (left- or mixed-handedness) was the primary exposure variable.
Main Results:
- While not statistically significant, 12% more premature children were left- or mixed-handed compared to full-term controls.
- A significant association was found between non-right-handedness and cognitive/behavioral deficits in premature children.
- Left-handed children demonstrated relative clumsiness with their non-preferred hand.
Conclusions:
- Premature children exhibit a higher prevalence of non-right-handedness.
- Non-right-handedness in premature children is linked to poorer cognitive and behavioral outcomes.
- These findings highlight the importance of monitoring neurodevelopmental trajectories in premature infants, particularly regarding handedness.
Abstract:
Information was obtained on the hand preference of 88 premature and 80 matched full-term children at 7-8 years old. These children were also evaluated for neurologic status, IQ, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and learning disabilities. Although the difference on hand preference was not significant, 12% more of the premature children than the full-term children were left- or mixed-handed. Results showed that, among premature children, there is an association between non-right-handedness and cognitive and behavioral deficits and that left-handed children show relative clumsiness with the non-preferred hand.