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Minor neurological signs and perceptual-motor difficulties in prematurely born children
M Jongmans1, E Mercuri, L de Vries
1Department of Psychology and Special Needs, Institute of Education, University of London.
Insights
Prematurely born children often show neurological and perceptual-motor deficits at age six. These issues require separate assessment and monitoring alongside other developmental aspects.
Area of Science:
- Developmental neuroscience
- Pediatric neurology
- Child psychology
Background:
- Premature birth is associated with increased risk of neurodevelopmental challenges.
- Early identification of neurological and perceptual-motor deficits is crucial for intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess neurological dysfunction and perceptual-motor difficulties in school-aged children born prematurely.
- To investigate the relationship between these difficulties and neonatal brain lesions, intelligence, and behavior.
Main Methods:
- 183 children born prematurely were evaluated at age 6.
- Utilized Touwen's Examination, Movement Assessment Battery for Children (Movement ABC), and Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration (VMI).
- Assessed intelligence and behavioral adjustment using British Ability Scales and Rutter Scales.
Main Results:
- Significant proportions of children exhibited deficits in neurological function (31%) and perceptual-motor skills (44% on Movement ABC, 17% on VMI).
- Neonatal brain ultrasound findings predicted cerebral palsy, but minor lesions were not consistently predictive.
- Correlations between different functional assessments were generally low.
Conclusions:
- Neurological and perceptual-motor functions should be assessed independently in school-aged children born prematurely.
- Ongoing monitoring of these functions in relation to overall development is recommended.
Aim:
To examine the spectrum of neurological dysfunction and perceptual-motor difficulties at school age in a cohort of prematurely born children, and the relation of these measures to neonatal brain lesions, intelligence quotient, and behavioural adjustment.
Method:
One hundred and eighty three children were tested at the age of 6 years using Touwen's Examination of the Child with Minor Neurological Dysfunction, the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (Movement ABC), the Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration (VMI), British Ability Scales, and Rutter Scales.
Results:
Twenty six children had definite cerebral palsy and one was blind. Of the remaining 156, the proportions falling below the 15th centile point were 31% on Touwen's Examination, 44% on the Movement ABC, and 17% on the VMI. Forty two passed all three tests. No child with a normal ultrasound scan developed cerebral palsy, whereas nearly all those with major lesions did. Minor lesions, however, were not generally predictive of later outcome. Correlations between the tests were generally low.
Conclusions:
These findings stress the need to assess neurological and perceptual motor functioning separately at school age and to monitor relationships with other aspects of development.