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Gross and fine motor development of preterm infants at eight and 12 months of age
M C Piper1, P J Byrne, J Darrah
1Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton.
Insights
Preterm infants born earlier (<32 weeks gestation) showed significant delays in both gross and fine motor skills at 8 months chronological age compared to those born later (32-36 weeks). These differences diminished over time, particularly for gross motor skills.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Neonatology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Preterm birth is associated with developmental challenges.
- Motor development in preterm infants requires careful monitoring.
- Gestational age at birth is a key factor influencing infant development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare gross and fine motor development in preterm infants based on gestational age.
- To assess motor development trajectories at chronological and adjusted ages.
Main Methods:
- Forty-five neurologically normal preterm infants were divided into two groups based on gestational age (<32 weeks vs. 32-36 weeks).
- Gross and fine motor development were assessed at 8 and 12 months chronological age.
- Motor skills were also evaluated at 8 and 12 months adjusted age.
Main Results:
- At 8 months chronological age, significant differences in both gross and fine motor development were observed between the groups.
- By 8 and 12 months adjusted age, only fine motor development showed significant differences.
- At 12 months chronological age, significant differences persisted only in fine motor development.
Conclusions:
- Early preterm infants (<32 weeks) exhibit initial delays in gross and fine motor skills compared to later preterm infants (32-36 weeks).
- Gross motor skills appear to catch up over time, while fine motor delays may persist.
- Adjusted age assessments are crucial for understanding developmental trajectories in preterm infants.
Abstract:
Forty-five neurologically normal preterm infants were allocated to one of two groups according to their gestational age at birth (less than 32 weeks; 32 to 36 weeks). Their gross and fine motor development was assessed at eight and 12 months chronological age and eight and 12 months adjusted age. At eight months chronological age the two groups differed significantly in both gross and fine motor development, but at eight and 12 months adjusted age and 12 months chronological age they differed significantly only in fine motor development.