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Early infant neuromotor assessment is associated with language and nonverbal cognitive function in toddlers: the

Tamara van Batenburg-Eddes1, Jens Henrichs, Jacqueline J Schenk

  • 1The Generation R Study Group, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics : JDBP
|May 28, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Infants with subtle neuromotor issues, like low muscle tone, show increased risks for language delays and cognitive deficits. This finding extends to the general population, highlighting early development's importance.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Neuroscience
  • Child Psychology

Background:

  • Infant neuromotor development variations are linked to cognitive function in high-risk groups.
  • The association in the general population and focus on subtle neuromotor signs remain less understood.
  • Previous studies primarily examined motor milestone achievement.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between infant neuromotor development and later cognitive and language functions in a general population cohort.
  • To determine if subtle neuromotor variations, specifically low tone symptoms, predict language and nonverbal cognitive delays.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized the Generation R Study, a population-based cohort in the Netherlands.
  • Assessed infant neuromotor development at 12 weeks using an adapted Neurodevelopmental Examination.
  • Measured language function at 1.5 years and language/nonverbal cognitive function at 2.5 years using validated checklists and surveys.

Main Results:

  • Less optimal neuromotor development, characterized by more low tone symptoms, was associated with receptive language delay at 1.5 years (OR 1.18, 95% CI 1.05-1.34).
  • Increased low tone symptoms correlated with expressive language delays across multiple time points (OR 1.11, 95% CI 1.02-1.21).
  • Poorer overall neuromotor development predicted a higher risk of nonverbal cognitive delay at 2.5 years (OR 1.19, 95% CI 1.05-1.35).

Conclusions:

  • Infants exhibiting more low tone symptoms, indicative of minor neuromotor deviations, demonstrate increased vulnerability to language delays.
  • These findings suggest that subtle neuromotor variations in infancy can predict later language and cognitive challenges in the general population.
Abstract

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