title: Developmental problems in patients with oesophageal atresia: a longitudinal follow-up study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To longitudinally evaluate motor development and predictive factors in school-age children with oesophageal atresia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cohort study with prospective longitudinal follow-up.
  
  
  METHODS
  Outpatient clinic of a tertiary university paediatric hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Children with oesophageal atresia born between January 1999 and May 2006 were assessed at 5 and 8 years of age.
  
  
  METHODS
  None.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Motor performance was evaluated at 5 and 8 years using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (M-ABC). Additionally, we evaluated perinatal characteristics, duration of anaesthesia within the first 24 months, socioeconomic status, sports participation and school performance at time of follow-up and intelligence and sustained attention at the age of 8 years.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 5-year-olds (n=54), the mean (SD) z-score M-ABC was slightly, but significantly lower than age-predicted normative values (-0.75 (0.83), p<0.001). In 8-year-olds (n=49), the z-score M-ABC was -0.53 (0.91) (p<0.001), intelligence was normal, but sustained attention was impaired: z-score speed (-1.50 (1.73)) and raw score attentional fluctuation (3.99 (1.90)) (both p<0.001). Motor problems mainly concerned gross motor performance. Duration of anaesthesia and sustained attention were negatively associated with motor development; sports participation was positively associated.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Longer duration of anaesthesia and sustained attention problems were associated with gross motor problems in school-age patients with oesophageal atresia. Parental awareness of risks for motor problems may provide the opportunity to offer timely intervention.
authors: Intensive Care and Department of Pediatric Surgery, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: Wouter J
authors: WJ
authors: Harmsen
authors: Intensive Care and Department of Pediatric Surgery, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: Femke J
authors: FJ
authors: Aarsen
authors: Intensive Care and Department of Pediatric Surgery, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: Monique H M
authors: MHM
authors: van der Cammen-van Zijp
authors: Department of Biostatistics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: Joost M
authors: JM
authors: van Rosmalen
authors: Intensive Care and Department of Pediatric Surgery, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: Rene M H
authors: RMH
authors: Wijnen
authors: Intensive Care and Department of Pediatric Surgery, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: Dick
authors: D
authors: Tibboel
authors: Intensive Care and Department of Pediatric Surgery, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
authors: Hanneke
authors: H
authors: IJsselstijn
mesh_terms: D000758:Anesthesia / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D001288:Attention; D002658:Developmental Disabilities / Q000209:etiology*; D004933:Esophageal Atresia / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007360:Intelligence; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D019957:Motor Skills Disorders / Q000209:etiology*; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: Neurodevelopment; developmental outcome; esophageal atresia; motor performance