Premium
The crucial role of the predictability of motor response in visuomotor deficits in very preterm children at school age
Author(s) -
De Kieviet Jorrit F,
Stoof Cor J J,
Geldof Christiaan J A,
Smits Niels,
Piek Jan P,
Lafeber Harrie N,
Van Elburg Ruurd M,
Oosterlaan Jaap
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
developmental medicine and child neurology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.658
H-Index - 143
eISSN - 1469-8749
pISSN - 0012-1622
DOI - 10.1111/dmcn.12125
Subject(s) - gestational age , psychology , pediatrics , odds ratio , motor skill , psychomotor learning , neonatal intensive care unit , audiology , movement assessment , intelligence quotient , developmental psychology , medicine , cognition , pregnancy , psychiatry , genetics , biology , pathology
Aim We aimed to clarify the underpinnings of widespread visuomotor deficits in very preterm children. Method Fifty‐eight very preterm children (26 males, 32 females; mean [ SD ] age 7y 6mo [5mo], gestational age 29.2wks [1.6]; birthweight 1237g [336]), recruited from a tertiary level neonatal intensive care unit, and 64 age‐matched, comparison children born at term (28 males, 36 females; mean age [ SD ] 7y 8mo [7mo]) participated. IQ was measured using a short form of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children (3rd edition). A research diagnosis of developmental coordination disorder ( DCD ) was defined as a score below the 15th centile on the Movement Assessment Battery for Children. Visuomotor performance was assessed using a computerized task, in which children followed a predictable (structured condition) or an unpredictable (non‐structured condition) trail on a touch screen using their index finger. Results Forty‐six per cent of the very preterm children had a research diagnosis of DCD , compared with 16% of children born at term ( p <0.001, odds ratio 4.69 [95% CI 2.01–10.99]). No group difference in visuomotor performance was present for the structured condition. In the non‐structured condition, children born very preterm with and without a research diagnosis of DCD had poorer visuomotor performance than those born at term. Interpretation The predictability of the required motor response plays a crucial role in visuomotor deficits in very preterm children, regardless of DCD status.