Developmental coordination disorder in "apparently normal" schoolchildren born extremely preterm.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of developmental coordination disorder (DCD) in "apparently normal" extremely premature (<29 weeks) or extremely low birthweight (<1000 g) schoolchildren at 8 years of age and whether motor skill assessments at an earlier age could predict DCD.


METHODS
From a neonatal intensive care unit cohort, 50 of the 53 eligible children (IQ >84 and without disabilities at age 5 and residing in Sydney metropolitan) and full-term classroom controls matched for gender and age were assessed with the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (MABC) at school. Previous Griffith's Scales (1 and 3 years) and Peabody Motor Scales (3 and 5 years) results were evaluated for prediction.


RESULTS
The prevalence of DCD (MABC impairment scores >1 SD below the norm) was significantly higher in the study group than controls (42% vs 8%, respectively), and severe DCD (scores >1.5 SD) was also significantly higher (30% vs 0%). DCD was independently associated with prolonged rupture of membranes and retinopathy of prematurity but not with parental education or occupation. Motor assessment using Peabody Fine Motor Scales at 3 years with a cut-off of <27th centile was the best predictor of DCD (areas under curve 78%).


CONCLUSIONS
Apparently normal high-risk infants are at risk of motor dysfunction into their school years. Most of these could be identified at age 3.
Goyen
T-A
TA
Department of Newborn Care, Royal Hospital for Women, Barker Street, Randwick, New South Wales, Australia 2031.
Lui
K
K
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills; D019957:Motor Skills Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D009517:New South Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index