title: Children with behavioral problems and motor problems have a worse neurological condition than children with behavioral problems only.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Some evidence suggests that children with specific behavioral problems are at risk for motor problems. It is unclear whether neurological condition plays a role in the propensity of children with behavioral problems to develop motor problems.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine the relation between behavioral problems, motor performance and neurological condition in school-aged children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross-sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  174 children (95 boys) receiving mainstream education and 106 children (82 boys) receiving special education aged 6 to 13 years (mean 9 y 7 m, SD 1 y 10 m).
  
  
  METHODS
  Behavior was assessed with questionnaires: the parental Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL) and Teacher's Report Form (TRF). Motor performance was assessed with the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (MABC). MABC-scores ≥5th percentile were considered as age-adequate and scores <5th percentile indicated definite motor problems. Neurological condition was assessed in terms of Minor Neurological Dysfunction (MND).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The majority of specific behavioral problems were associated with definite motor problems, except somatic complaints and rule breaking behavior. Children with externalizing problems, according to the CBCL or TRF, and motor problems had more often MND than children with externalizing problems only. The same holds true for internalizing problems according to the CBCL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study demonstrated that various forms of behavioral problems were associated with motor problems. Especially children with motor and behavioral problems showed MND.
authors.affiliation: University of Groningen, Department of Paediatrics - Developmental Neurology, Beatrix Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: l.h.j.peters@developmentalneurology.com.
authors.forename: Lieke H J
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Peters
authors.affiliation: University of Groningen, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Center for Rehabilitation, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Carel G B
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Maathuis
authors.affiliation: University of Groningen, Department of Paediatrics - Developmental Neurology, Beatrix Children's Hospital, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Mijna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hadders-Algra
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002653:Child Behavior Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009069:Movement Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D011597:Psychomotor Performance
keywords: Child Behavior Checklist; Minor Neurological Dysfunction; Movement Assessment Battery for Children; School age; Teacher's Report Form