Motor outcomes and visual function in adults born preterm with very low birthweight

Area of Science:

• Developmental neuroscience
• Clinical neurology
• Public health

Background:

• Preterm birth and very low birthweight (VLBW) are associated with neurodevelopmental challenges.
• Long-term outcomes in mid-adulthood for individuals born VLBW require further investigation.
• The role of visual function in mediating motor outcomes in this population is not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if being born preterm with VLBW is linked to poorer motor outcomes in mid-adulthood.
• To investigate if visual function mediates the relationship between VLBW and motor difficulties.

Main Methods:

• Prospective cohort study in Finland and Norway.
• Assessed motor outcomes and visual function in adults born VLBW and term-born controls.
• Used validated tests for motor abilities and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA).

Main Results:

• Significantly higher rates of overall motor difficulties in VLBW adults compared to controls.
• Increased risk differences for fine and gross motor difficulties in the VLBW group.
• BCVA mediated the association between VLBW and fine motor difficulties, as well as continuous motor scores.

Conclusions:

• VLBW is associated with poorer motor outcomes in mid-adulthood.
• Visual function, particularly BCVA, plays a mediating role in this association.
• Further research is needed to elucidate causal pathways or shared etiologies.