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Comparison between the motor function of school-aged children with normal birth weight and children with low birth
Amitava Pal, Sourav Manna, Prakash C Dhara1
1Department of Ergonomics and Sports Physiology Division, Department of Human Physiology with Community Health, Vidyasagar University, Midnapore, India.
Insights
Children with low birth weight (LBW) demonstrate poorer gross and fine motor skills compared to normal birth weight (NBW) peers. Early detection and intervention are crucial for neurodevelopmental impairments in LBW infants.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Developmental Neuroscience
- Child Health
Background:
- Neonatal complications in low birth weight (LBW) infants can lead to neurological abnormalities, motor deficits, and developmental delays.
- Understanding the long-term impact of birth weight on motor function is crucial for early intervention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the gross and fine motor function between school-aged children with normal birth weight (NBW) and those with LBW.
- To investigate the association between birth weight and motor skill development in childhood.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 471 school-aged children from West Bengal, India.
- Assessment of gross motor function using jumping tests (standing broad jump, vertical jump).
- Evaluation of fine motor function through hand reaction time and speed of movement tests.
Main Results:
- LBW children exhibited significantly poorer gross and fine motor performance compared to NBW children.
- Boys showed better gross motor skills (jumping), while girls demonstrated superior fine motor skills (reaction time, speed).
- A strong association was found between birth weight and motor skills, independent of other factors.
Conclusions:
- LBW is linked to impaired neurodevelopment and motor deficits in school-aged children.
- Long-term monitoring and early detection of developmental issues in LBW infants are essential.
- Special attention and comprehensive developmental evaluations are recommended for high-risk and LBW infants.
Abstract:
Pal A, Manna S, Dhara PC. Comparison between the motor function of school-aged children with normal birth weight and children with low birth weight: a cross-sectional study. Turk J Pediatr 2019; 61: 374-385. Low birth weight (LBW) children are prone to abnormal neurological signs in tone, coordination and reflexes, due to neonatal complications which lead to development of motor deficits and delays. The aim of the present study was a comparison between the motor function of school-age children with normal birth weight (NBW) and children with LBW. This study was conducted with 471 school-aged children from different districts of West Bengal, India. Different socio-demographic variables of the participants were studied by using a pre-structured schedule questionnaire. Gross motor function was studied by standing broad jump and vertical jump whereas fine motor function was studied by hand reaction time and speed of movement. Jumping skill was better among the boys than girls which implied that the gross motor skill of boys was better than girls. However, the hand reaction time and speed of movement among the girls was better than that of boys which implied that the fine motor skill of girls was better than boys. The postnatal growth of LBW children was significantly lower than that of NBW children. Both gross and fine motor performances of LBW children were significantly poorer than that of NBW children. This study found a strong association between birth weight and motor skills among school-age children even after controlling for the effects of age, gestational age, postnatal growth (height, weight and BMI) and socioeconomic status in a multivariable model. Thus, it appears that babies who are born with LBW have a tendency of neuro-developmental impairments during their childhood. Therefore, long-term monitoring programs and early detection and intervention is necessary in order to minimize future sequelae. The finding of this study indicates the importance of paying special attention to developmental follow up of high risk and LBW infants. It is proposed that more diagnostic evaluations be conducted on LBW infants for all aspects of development.
