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The Previously Low Birth Weight Infant: Fundamental Motor Skill Outcomes in the 5- to 9-Year-Old
Roberta L Pohlman1, Larry D Isaacs1
1Human Performance Laboratory, Department of HPR, Wright State University, Dayton, OH 45435-0001, USA.
Insights
Children with low birth weight (LBW) may experience delays in fundamental motor skills development compared to normal birth weight (NBW) peers. This preliminary study highlights potential impacts on gross motor skills.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Developmental Psychology
- Motor Development
Background:
- Low birth weight (LBW) is a significant global health concern.
- Early motor development is crucial for overall child development and long-term health outcomes.
- Understanding the impact of LBW on motor skills can inform early intervention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential effects of low birth weight on motor performance in children.
- To compare motor development, reaction time, and anthropometric data between LBW and normal birth weight (NBW) children.
- To identify specific areas of motor skill development potentially affected by LBW.
Main Methods:
- A preliminary investigation involving 17 matched pairs of children aged 5-9 years.
- Participants were categorized into low birth weight (<= 2,200g) and normal birth weight (> 2,200g) groups.
- Data collected included motor development, reaction time, and anthropometric measurements; nine paired t-tests with Bonferroni correction were used.
Main Results:
- No significant differences in current body weight or most body composition measures between LBW and NBW groups.
- The NBW group demonstrated significantly more advanced gross motor skills, including locomotor and object control skills.
- The NBW group had significantly higher triceps skinfold values, suggesting potential differences in body composition.
Conclusions:
- Preliminary findings suggest that children born with low birth weight may lag behind their normal birth weight peers in developing fundamental motor skills.
- These motor skill deficits may impact gross motor development, including locomotor and object control abilities.
- Further research is warranted to explore the long-term implications of LBW on motor development and to develop targeted interventions.
Abstract:
This preliminary investigation examined the potential effects of low birth weight on motor performance in children. Seventeen pairs of children were matched by age and placed in one of five age groups (5-9 years). One of each pair weighed 2,200 grams or less at birth (low birth weight, LBW) and the other weighed more than 2,200 grams at birth (normal birth weight, NBW). Three types of data were collected: motor development data, reaction time data, and anthropometric data. Nine paired t tests were performed. To control for alpha level inflation, the Bonferroni technique was employed. The two groups did not differ significantly in present body weight. Tests of gross motor development found the NBW group to be more advanced in both locomotor skills and object control skills. With regard to triceps skinfold, again the NBW group was found to have greater values. No other between-group measurements of body composition were significant. In addition, girls were significantly higher than boys in percent body fat. These preliminary results suggest the LBW children lag behind their NBW peers in the development of the basic fundamental motor skills.
