Developmental motor problems and health-related quality of life in 5-year-old children born extremely preterm: A

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Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
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Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale

Published on: August 25, 2014

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Adrien M Aubert1, Raquel Costa2,3, Samantha Johnson4

  • 1Université Paris Cité, Inserm, INRAE, Centre for Research in Epidemiology and Statistics (CRESS), Obstetrical Perinatal and Pediatric Epidemiology Research Team, EPOPé, Paris, France.

Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology
|May 14, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Cerebral palsy (CP) and movement difficulties in extremely preterm children are linked to lower quality of life. Even mild challenges impact health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric neurology
  • Developmental pediatrics
  • Public health

Background:

  • Extremely preterm birth (<28 weeks gestational age) is associated with neurodevelopmental challenges.
  • Cerebral palsy (CP) is a common outcome, but non-CP-related movement difficulties also affect this population.
  • Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is a crucial outcome measure for children born extremely preterm.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between cerebral palsy (CP) and non-CP-related movement difficulties with HRQoL in 5-year-old children born extremely preterm.
  • To quantify the impact of varying degrees of movement difficulties on HRQoL.

Main Methods:

  • A multi-country, population-based cohort of 1021 children born extremely preterm in 2011-2012 was studied.
  • Children were assessed for CP and movement difficulties (significant or at-risk) using standardized tools.
  • Parent-reported HRQoL was measured using the Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory.

Main Results:

  • Children with CP, significant movement difficulties, or at-risk movement difficulties had significantly lower adjusted HRQoL total scores compared to peers without movement difficulties.
  • The most substantial decrease in HRQoL was observed in children with CP (-26.1 points).
  • Reductions in HRQoL for non-CP movement difficulties were more pronounced in lower centiles, indicating a dose-response relationship.

Conclusions:

  • Both CP and non-CP-related movement difficulties are associated with reduced HRQoL in extremely preterm children, even with milder challenges.
  • The findings highlight the importance of addressing a spectrum of motor impairments, not just diagnosed CP.
  • Further research is needed to identify factors that mitigate or protect against reduced HRQoL in this vulnerable population.
Abstract

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