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Developmental dyspraxia-dysgnosia as a cause of congenital children's clumsiness
Insights
Children with hyperactivity or low birth weight often experience clumsiness due to developmental coordination disorder (DYS) and impaired sensory perception (DYS). These issues, linked to minor cerebellar dysfunction, are more prevalent than in typically developing children.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Developmental Pediatrics
- Child Psychology
Background:
- Clumsiness in children can be linked to underlying neurological issues.
- Minor brain disturbances may affect motor and sensory processing in children.
- Hyperactivity and low birth weight are associated with developmental challenges.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the causes of clumsiness in children with minor brain disturbances.
- To identify the prevalence of dyspraxia and dysgnosia in hyperactive children and those with low birth weight.
- To explore the relationship between cerebellar function and developmental disorders.
Main Methods:
- Examined 44 children (9-11 years) with low birth weight and 55 children (7-12 years) in a special class for hyperactivity.
- Utilized specialized tests for praxia (motor planning) and gnosia (sensory recognition).
- Conducted conventional neurological examinations and specific tests for cerebellar function.
Main Results:
- Conventional neurological exams were normal, but soft signs of cerebellar dysfunction were noted in some.
- Dyspraxia and/or dysgnosia were identified in 81.6% of hyperactive children and 71.4% of low birth weight children.
- Pure dyspraxia was present in 33% of the affected children; control group showed lower prevalence (47.4%) with age-related decline.
Conclusions:
- Dyspraxia and dysgnosia are common in children with hyperactivity and low birth weight, often stemming from minor cerebellar disorders.
- These developmental coordination and sensory recognition issues contribute significantly to childhood clumsiness.
- Early identification and intervention for dyspraxia and dysgnosia are crucial for affected children.
Abstract:
In order to ascertain the cause of children's clumsiness in minor brain disturbances, 44 children aged 9-11 years with low birth weight and 55 children aged 7-12 years from a special class for hyperactive children were examined by especially developed tests for praxia and gnosia. Conventional neurological examination was in all of them within normal limits; some of them presented, however, soft signs in special tets for cerebellar functions, proving that there was a group of minor cerebellar disorder. But in the majority of these children special tests revealed a dyspraxia and/or dysgnosia. This was in 81.6% for hyperactive children and 71.4% for children with low birth weight. In this group was pure dyspraxia quite often present (33%). In a control group of 72 children was dyspraxia-dysgnosia only in 47.4% and had a tendency to disappear with age.