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Early life events and motor development in childhood and adolescence: a longitudinal study

Tegan Grace1, Max Bulsara2, Monique Robinson3

  • 1School of Health Sciences, University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle, Western Australian, Australia.

Acta Paediatrica (Oslo, Norway : 1992)
|December 20, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Pregnancy factors like pre-eclampsia and smoking impact motor development into adolescence. These antenatal and perinatal risks affect males and females differently, highlighting sex-specific developmental pathways.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Neuroscience
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Early life risk factors are crucial for motor development.
  • Limited research exists on antenatal, perinatal, and neonatal influences on motor skills extending into adolescence.
  • Sex differences in motor development necessitate separate analyses.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate antenatal, perinatal, and neonatal factors influencing motor development from late childhood through adolescence.
  • To examine sex-specific effects of these early life factors on motor outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized data from the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort Study (n=2868).
  • Assessed motor proficiency using the Neuromuscular Development Index (NDI) at ages 10, 14, and 17 years.
  • Employed linear mixed models to analyze changes in motor development over time, considering sex differences.

Main Results:

  • Maternal pre-eclampsia, Caesarean section, and low income negatively impacted motor outcomes in both males and females.
  • Lower percentage of optimal birthweight was associated with reduced motor skills in males.
  • Younger maternal age, early pregnancy smoking, and late pregnancy stress were linked to lower motor development in females.

Conclusions:

  • Pregnancy-related events significantly influence motor development trajectories into late adolescence.
  • Antenatal and perinatal risk factors demonstrate differential effects on male and female motor development.
  • Observed sex differences suggest distinct developmental pathways influenced by early life exposures.
Abstract

Keywords:
AntenatalMotor developmentRisk factorsSex differences

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