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Abstract
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AIM: Investigate if behaviour problems are independently related to mild motor impairment in 11-13 year old children born preterm with extremely low birth weight (ELBW).
METHODS: The cross sectional study included 48 (27 male) non-disabled, otherwise healthy ELBW children (<1000g) and 55 (28 male) term born peers. Parents reported behaviour using the Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL). Children completed the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (Movement ABC).
RESULTS: ELBW children had poorer behaviour scores (CBCL Total Problem T score: mean difference = 5.89 95% confidence interval = 10.29, 1.49 p= 0.009) and Movement ABC Total Motor Impairment Scores (ELBW group median = 17.5, IQR = 12.3; Term born group median = 7.5, IQR = 9 p< 0.01) than term born peers. Behaviour was related to motor score (regression coefficient 2.16; 95% confidence interval 0.34, 3.97 p= 0.02) independent of gender, socio-economic factors or birthweight. Motor score had strongest association with attention (rho= 0.51; p< 0.01) and social behaviours (rho= 0.50; p< 0.01).
CONCLUSION: Behaviour problems of otherwise healthy 11-13 year old ELBW children are not related to prematurity independent of their motor difficulties. Supporting improved motor competence in ELBW preteen children may support improved behaviour, particularly attention and social behaviours. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Language: en |