title: Visual function of prematurely born children with and without perceptual-motor difficulties.
abstract: The relationship between visual and perceptual-motor abilities at 6 years of age was investigated in a cohort of 141 prematurely born children without cerebral palsy. Visual acuity was assessed using the Sonksen-Silver Acuity System and stereopsis with the Titmus stereo test. Perceptual motor abilities were evaluated using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children and the Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration. The results showed a higher incidence of abnormalities both of linear acuity and stereopsis in the study group when compared to a group of reference children. Whereas abnormalities of linear acuity were not associated with perceptual-motor difficulties, abnormal stereopsis was significantly associated with poor performance on both perceptual-motor tests. Our results suggest that infants born preterm, even in the absence of other major neurological signs, are at risk for abnormal visual function and perceptual-motor difficulties. As these could interfere with everyday life and school performance, a longitudinal assessment of both areas of competencies is recommended so that diagnosis and possible intervention can take place as early as possible.
authors.affiliation: Department of Educational Psychology and Special Educational Needs, University of London, UK.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jongmans
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Mercuri
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Henderson
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: de Vries
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sonksen
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dubowitz
mesh_terms: D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology; D002648:Child; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003867:Depth Perception; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011596:Psychomotor Disorders / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014785:Vision, Ocular; D014792:Visual Acuity