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The Early Motor Repertoire in Preterm Infancy and Cognition in Young Adulthood: Preliminary Findings

Sahar Salavati1, Anne E den Heijer1, Maraike A Coenen2

  • 1Division of Neonatology, Department of Pediatrics, Beatrix Children's Hospital, Groningen, the Netherlands.

Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society : JINS
|January 3, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Early infant motor skills predict cognitive function in young adulthood for preterm infants. Assessing fidgety movements (FMs) and motor optimality score (MOS) can identify those at risk for cognitive issues.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Pediatrics

Background:

  • Preterm birth is linked to cognitive deficits persisting into adulthood.
  • Early motor repertoire quality predicts childhood neurodevelopment.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine if infant motor repertoire quality predicts neurocognitive status in young adulthood.
  • To investigate the association between early motor assessments and later cognitive function.

Main Methods:

  • Observational follow-up study of 37 young adults born preterm (gestational age <35 weeks and/or birth weight <1200g).
  • Infant motor repertoire assessed using Prechtl's method (general movements, fidgety movements [FMs], motor optimality score [MOS]) up to 3 months corrected age.
  • Cognitive domains assessed in young adulthood: memory, processing speed, language, attention, and executive function.

Main Results:

  • Absence of FMs in infancy correlated with lower scores in memory, processing speed, and attention.
  • Aberrant FMs (absent or abnormal) were associated with poorer performance in memory, processing speed, attention, and executive function.
  • Higher MOS in infancy predicted better executive function in young adulthood.

Conclusions:

  • Infant motor repertoire quality is a significant predictor of cognitive performance in young adulthood for individuals born preterm.
  • Early motor assessment can aid in identifying preterm infants at risk for cognitive dysfunction, enabling timely interventions.
Abstract

Keywords:
Fidgety movementsGeneral movementsNeurocognitive developmentPreterm-born young adults

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