title: Perinatal morbidity, mild motor delay, and later school outcomes.
abstract: Four dimensions of motor competence were evaluated in 4-year-old term and preterm children and were related to academic achievement and use of school services at age 8 years. The objective of the study was to evaluate a graduated 'stair-step' effect between perinatal morbidity, mild motor delay, and later school outcomes in 168 children (88 females, 80 males) stratified into four study groups: 134 healthy term infants > or = 37 weeks' gestation, birthweight > or = 2500g); 134 preterm infants < or = 37 weeks' gestation divided into healthy preterm (n=41), clinically ill preterms (n=59), and preterm infants with neurological illness (n=34). Significant differences were found in total, fine and gross motor performance, and visual-motor integration at age 4 years. Scores for the preterm groups decreased with increasing morbidity. At age 4 years, mild motor delay was found in all preterm groups. Children with mild motor delay had lower academic achievement scores (Wide Range Achievement Test-3) and higher rates of school service use at age 8 years. Perinatal morbidity and compromised motor performance are important precursors of educational underachievement.
authors.affiliation: University of Rhode Island Women & Infants' Hospital, Infant Development Center, 111 Plain Street, Providence, Rhode Island 02903, USA. mcsullivan@uri.edu
authors.forename: Mary C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Sullivan
authors.forename: M McGrath
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Margaret
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001724:Birth Weight; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D004521:Educational Measurement; D005260:Female; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009017:Morbidity; D019957:Motor Skills Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D012572:School Health Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012720:Severity of Illness Index