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Factors affecting development of motor skills in extremely low birth weight children

Anna R O'Connor1, Eileen E Birch, Rand Spencer

  • 1Directorate of Orthoptics and Vision Science, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK. annaoc@liv.ac.uk

Strabismus
|March 21, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Visual acuity and ophthalmic factors significantly impact motor development in extremely low birth weight (ELBW) children, particularly fine motor skills. Neonatal factors showed no association with motor development scores in this cohort.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Ophthalmology
  • Neonatology

Background:

  • Extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants face unique challenges in development.
  • Understanding factors influencing motor development is crucial for early intervention.
  • Ophthalmic and neonatal conditions may affect neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between ophthalmic and neonatal factors and motor development in ELBW children.
  • To identify specific risk factors impacting fine and gross motor skills.
  • To inform targeted developmental support for ELBW survivors.

Main Methods:

  • Sixty-four ELBW children aged 3+ years were assessed.
  • Visual acuity measured using Teller acuity cards (TACs) and letter tests.
  • Parental questionnaires evaluated fine and gross motor skills; neonatal data (ROP, IVH, oxygen, hospital stay) were collected.

Main Results:

  • Abnormal TAC acuity strongly correlated with lower fine (Part A) and gross (Part B) motor scores.
  • Better letter acuity showed a direct relationship with fine motor scores (Part A).
  • Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) Zone 1 was linked to lower fine motor scores; neonatal factors like IVH and ventilation duration were not significant.

Conclusions:

  • Visual acuity and ophthalmic factors are key predictors of motor development in ELBW children.
  • Fine motor development appears particularly sensitive to visual impairments.
  • Neonatal morbidities did not significantly influence motor outcomes in this study cohort.
Abstract

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