title: Motor performance and functional ability in preschool- and early school-aged children with Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis: a cross-sectional study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the level of motor performance and functional skills in young children with JIA.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a cross-sectional study in 56 preschool-aged (PSA) and early school- aged children (ESA) with JIA according to ILAR classification, motor performance was measured with the Bayley Scales of Infant Development II (BSID2) and the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (M-ABC). Functional skills were measured with the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI). Disease outcome was measured with a joint count on swelling/range of joint motion, functional ability and joint pain.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twenty two PSA children (mean age 2.1 years) with a mean Developmental Index of the BSID2 of 77.9 indicating a delayed motor performance; 45% of PSA children showed a severe delayed motor performance. Mean PEDI scores were normal, 38% of PSA scored below -2 SD in one or more domains of the PEDI. Thirty four ESA children (mean age 5.2 years) with a mean M-ABC 42.7, indicating a normal motor performance, 12% of ESA children had an abnormal score. Mean PEDI scores showed impaired mobility skills, 70% of ESA children scored below -2 SD in one or more domains of the PEDI. Disease outcome in both age groups demonstrated low to moderate scores. Significant correlations were found between age at disease onset, disease duration and BSID2 or M-ABC and between disease outcome and PEDI in both age cohorts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  More PSA children have more impaired motor performance than impaired functional skills, while ESA children have more impairment in functional skills. Disease onset and disease duration are correlated with motor performance in both groups. Impaired motor performance and delayed functional skills is primarily found in children with a polyarticular disease course. Clinical follow up and rehabilitation programs should also focus on motor performance and functional skills development in young children with JIA.
authors.affiliation: Dept, of pediatric physical therapy and pediatric exercise physiology, Children's Hospital at the University Medical Centre at Utrecht, Suite: KB 02,056,0, PO Box 85090, 3508 AB Utrecht, The Netherlands. J.vandernet@umcutrecht.nl.
authors.forename: Janjaap
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: van der Net
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: van der Torre
authors.forename: Raoul Hh
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Engelbert
authors.forename: Vivian
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Engelen
authors.forename: Femke
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: van Zon
authors.forename: Tim
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takken
authors.forename: Paul Jm
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Helders