Motor proficiency in children with neurofibromatosis type 1.
OBJECTIVE
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a genetic disorder with associated musculoskeletal abnormalities, tumors, and developmental delays. The purpose of this study was to investigate and characterize the motor proficiency of children with NF1.


METHODS
Children with NF1 were assessed using the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test (BOT 2) instrument. The NF1 group scores were compared with age and sex-matched test norms.


RESULTS
Twenty-six children participated in the study. The NF1 group had statistically significant lower scores (P < .05) for the total motor composite (Z = -1.62) and 7 of the 8 subtests. Nineteen percent (n = 5) scored in the average category, 54% (n = 14) scored in the below-average category, and 27% (n = 7) scored in the well-below-average category.


CONCLUSIONS
Children with NF1 have significantly lower motor proficiency than the BOT 2 normative scores. The results indicate the BOT 2 is useful in identifying and characterizing delays in motor proficiency for children with NF1.
Shriners Hospitals for Children Salt Lake City, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA.
Barbara A
BA
Johnson
Bruce A
BA
MacWilliams
John C
JC
Carey
David H
DH
Viskochil
Jacques L
JL
D'Astous
David A
DA
Stevenson
D000293:Adolescent; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002658:Developmental Disabilities; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills; D019957:Motor Skills Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D009456:Neurofibromatosis 1 / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance