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Published on: October 28, 2022
Motor activities and executive functions in early adolescence after hypothermia-treated neonatal hypoxic-ischemic
Mimmi Eriksson Westblad1,2, Kristina Löwing2,3, Katarina Robertsson Grossmann1,4
1Department of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology, Division of Paediatrics, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
Insights
Children with a history of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) treated with neonatal hypothermia showed weaker executive functions (EF) and motor skills. Early evaluation of both is crucial for understanding their daily challenges.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Developmental Psychology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
Background:
- Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is a serious birth complication.
- Neonatal hypothermia is a standard treatment for HIE.
- Long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes, including motor and executive functions, require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between motor activities and executive functions (EF) in children aged 10-12 years with a history of HIE treated with neonatal hypothermia.
- To identify potential challenges in daily functioning for this population.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study of 45 children (mean age 11 years) with a history of HIE.
- Assessed motor skills using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 (MABC-2).
- Evaluated cognitive and executive functions using the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-V (WISC-V) and parent-reported Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-2 (BRIEF-2).
Main Results:
- Children with poorer motor skills (below 15th percentile on MABC-2) exhibited weaker EF, including lower processing speed and higher executive dysfunction.
- Stronger EF correlated with better motor capacity.
- Parental reports indicated everyday functional difficulties in 52% of the children.
Conclusions:
- Weaker executive functions are associated with motor difficulties in early adolescence following hypothermia-treated HIE.
- Comprehensive assessment of both motor skills and EF is essential for understanding and addressing the everyday challenges faced by these children.
Aim:
To explore the relationship between motor activities and executive functions (EF) in children (aged 10-12 years) with a history of neonatal hypothermia-treated hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE).
Material And Methods:
Forty-five children (mean age 11 years) with a history of neonatal hypothermia-treated HIE in Stockholm (2007-2009) were included in this cross-sectional study. The children were assessed with Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 (MABC-2) and Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-V (WISC-V). Their parents completed Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function-2 (BRIEF-2), Five to Fifteen-R, and MABC-2 Checklist.
Results:
Associations between motor capacity and EF, specifically Processing Speed, Working Memory, Flexibility, and Inhibition, were detected. Children scoring below the 15th percentile on MABC-2 had weaker EF, evident in Cognitive Proficiency Index from WISC-V (t43 = 2.515, p = 0.016) and a higher mean Global Executive Composition Score from BRIEF-2 (t43 = -2.890, p = 0.006). Children with stronger EF exhibited better motor capacity. Parental questionnaires indicated everyday difficulties in 52% of the children.
Conclusions:
Weaker EF were associated with difficulties in motor activities in early adolescence following hypothermia-treated HIE. These results highlight the importance of evaluating both motor activities and EF to understand children's everyday challenges.
