Relationship of muscle function to auxology in preterm born children at the age of seven years.
OBJECTIVE
To characterize the relationship between muscle function and auxology in preterm born children.


METHODS
Forty-five preterm born children (birth weight < or =1,500 g with mean +/- SD: 1,069 +/- 281 g; median of gestational age: 29 weeks; 50% multiple births) were analyzed for auxological parameters (weight, height) and muscle function at the age of 7 years. Maximal isometric grip force (MIGF) and ground reaction forces of goal-directed counter-movement jumping were measured using the Preston dynamometer and the Leonardo force plate. MIGF, peak jump force (PJF), peak jump power (PJP) and the maximal velocity of take-off (V(max)) were analyzed for their relationship to perinatal risk factors and actual auxological parameters.


RESULTS
With reference to age, weight-standard deviation score (SDS) and height-SDS were lower than in the reference population. With reference to height, MIGF-SDS and PJP-SDS were lower than in reference individuals. Children with intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) had lower PJP-SDS and V(max) than children without IVH. PJP-SDS was lower than PJF-SDS in children with IVH.


CONCLUSIONS
Analyses showed a discrepancy between maximal force and power due to a decline of V(max) in children with IVH.
Fricke
Oliver
O
Children's Hospital, University of Cologne, Cologne, Germany. frickeo@uni-koeln.de
Roedder
Daniela
D
Kribs
Angela
A
Tutlewski
Baerbel
B
von Kleist-Retzow
Juergen-Christoph
JC
Herkenrath
Peter
P
Roth
Bernhard
B
Schoenau
Eckhard
E
D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D002543:Cerebral Hemorrhage; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D018737:Hand Strength / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology*