Causal Effects on Early Risk Factors of Developmental Coordination Disorder in the Dutch Lifelines Cohort

Limited information on early risk factors of Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) exists, especially in term-born children. We examined possible causal effects of early risk factors on DCD in predominantly term-born children.

An add-on study to the Dutch Lifelines Cohort was performed in 2017. All 5-to-12-year-olds and their parents were included (n = 5479). Children were identified as at risk for DCD when the Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire 2007 indicated suspicion of DCD, and as having probable DCD when another questionnaire, the DCD Daily Questionnaire, also suggested DCD. Causal graphs and multiple logistic regression models were used, including covariates sex, preterm birth (birth < 37 weeks), maternal education, parental subfertility, maternal smoking, and neonatal admission to the paediatric ward.

5479 children were identified; the response rate was 34% (n = 1856). 1722 children (50% male, 50% female sex; mean age 8.6 years) remained after exclusion for missing data. The prevalence of at risk for DCD and probable DCD was 13.0% (n = 223) and 5.9% (n = 100), respectively. Only male sex and neonatal admission to the paediatric ward had a direct causal effect on at risk for DCD and probable DCD.

In the large Lifelines population, only male sex and neonatal admission were risk factors for DCD.