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Associations Between the Alberta Infant Motor Scale and Motor and Gait Outcomes at 4-5 Years in Children Born Very
Reem A Albesher1, Jennifer L McGinley2, Fiona L Dobson2
1Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Insights
The Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) at 12 months can predict motor and gait issues in very preterm infants. Early identification via AIMS scores aids in timely interventions for children born preterm.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care and developmental pediatrics.
- Pediatric neurology and rehabilitation.
Background:
- Preterm birth is linked to significant motor impairments in children.
- Children born very preterm exhibit poorer motor outcomes compared to their term-born peers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the predictive value of the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) at 12 months for motor and gait development at 4-5 years.
- To assess the association between early motor skills in preterm infants and later functional outcomes.
Main Methods:
- A prospective cohort study included 149 infants born before 30 weeks' gestation.
- Infants were assessed using the AIMS at 12 months.
- Motor and gait assessments at 4-5 years included the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (MABC-2) and GAITRite system.
Main Results:
- Lower AIMS scores at 12 months correlated with poorer balance on the MABC-2 and wider base of support during tandem gait at 4-5 years.
- AIMS scores at or below the 5th percentile were linked to significantly lower balance scores and altered gait parameters.
- Infants with lower AIMS scores showed a 2.5 times higher likelihood of motor impairment at preschool age.
Conclusions:
- The Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) at 12 months is a valuable tool for identifying preterm infants at risk of future balance and gait difficulties.
- Early identification using AIMS can facilitate timely interventions to improve motor outcomes in children born preterm.
Background:
Despite advances in neonatal care, preterm birth remains associated with high rates of subsequent motor impairment. Preschool-age children born very preterm show poorer motor outcomes and face various motor challenges compared with their term peers.
Aim:
To examine associations between the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) at 12 months and motor and gait outcomes at 4-5 years in children born <30 weeks' gestation.
Methods:
Prospective cohort study of 149 infants born at <30 weeks' gestation, assessed at 12 months using the AIMS. Assessments at 4-5 years included the Movement Assessment Battery for Children, second edition (MABC-2), and the GAITRite system.
Results:
Lower AIMS total scores were associated with lower balance skills on the MABC-2 (coefficient 0.14 score, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.07, 0.22), a wider base of support in tandem gait (coefficient -0.05 cm, 95% CI -0.09, -0.001), and higher rates of motor impairment (odds ratio 2.51, 95% CI 2.36, 2.69) at 4-5 years. AIMS scores at or below the 5th centile were associated with lower balance skills (mean difference -1.34 score; 95% CI -2.27, -0.41) and shorter double support in tandem (mean difference -1.93%; 95% CI -3.77%, -0.08).
Conclusion:
AIMS at 12 months may help identify infants at risk of poorer balance and gait challenges, enabling early interventions in children born preterm.
