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The motor profile of preterm infants at 11 y of age
Sirkku Setänen1, Liisa Lehtonen2, Riitta Parkkola3
1Department of Pediatric Neurology, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Turku, Finland.
Insights
Most very preterm infants achieve normal motor development by age 11. Brain MRI at term age can help identify those at risk for later neuromotor impairments, including Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) and cerebral palsy (CP).
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Neurology
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Very preterm infants face increased risks for adverse motor outcomes compared to full-term infants.
- Understanding the long-term motor development trajectory in this population is crucial for early intervention and support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the long-term motor development profile of children born very preterm.
- To investigate the association between early brain structure and later motor function.
Main Methods:
- Volumetric brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was conducted at term-equivalent age in 98 very preterm infants.
- Motor function was assessed at 11 years of age using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-Second Edition (Movement ABC-2).
- Diagnoses of Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) and cerebral palsy (CP) were established based on ICD criteria.
Main Results:
- 84% of very preterm children exhibited normal motor development at 11 years, with a mean Movement ABC-2 percentile of 42.
- 8% were diagnosed with DCD (mean percentile 4), and 8% with CP (mean percentile 6).
- Reduced brain volumes across multiple regions correlated with lower Movement ABC-2 scores, indicating impaired neuromotor development.
Conclusions:
- The majority of very preterm infants achieve normal motor skills by age 11.
- Early volumetric brain MRI is a valuable tool for identifying very preterm infants at high risk for subsequent neuromotor impairments.
- These findings support targeted neurodevelopmental follow-up for at-risk preterm populations.
Background:
Preterm infants are at a higher risk for poor motor outcome than term infants. This study aimed to describe the long-term motor profile in very preterm born children.
Methods:
A total of 98 very preterm infants were included. Volumetric brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed at term age, and the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-Second Edition (The Movement ABC-2) was employed at 11 y of age. The diagnosis of Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) was determined at 11 y of age according to the International Classification of Diseases.
Results:
Eighty-two of 98 (84%) very preterm infants had normal motor development at 11 y of age. In these children, the mean percentile for the total test score in the Movement ABC-2 examinations was 42 (SD 20). Eight (8%) children had DCD. The mean percentile in these children was 4 (SD 2). Eight (8%) children had CP. Their mean percentile was 6 (SD 14). Decreased volumes in all brain regions associated with lower Movement ABC-2 total scores.
Conclusion:
The majority of the very preterm infants had normal motor development at 11 y of age. Volumetric brain MRI at term age provides a potential tool to identify risk groups for later neuromotor impairment.
