Extremely premature births linked to tenfold increase in motor problems at age 12
Swedish researchers found that children born before 27 weeks' gestation are 17 times more likely to experience significant motor difficulties by age 12 compared to full-term peers. The finding has implications for long-term healthcare planning, educational support systems, and rehabilitation services targeting this vulnerable population.
Originaltitel: Motor difficulties and associated risk factors at 12 years in children born extremely preterm: a population-based cohort study
OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of significant motor difficulties at 12 years of age in children born extremely preterm (EPT, <28 weeks' gestational age) compared with term-born peers and to identify associated risk factors and comorbidities. DESIGN: Population-based cohort study. SETTING: National cohort from the Extremely Preterm Infants in Sweden Study, including children born from 2004 to 2007. PATIENTS: Children born <27 weeks' gestational age without cerebral palsy and/or severe neurodevelopmental impairment and term-born controls. INTERVENTIONS: Motor function was assessed at 12 years using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children, second edition (MABC-2). Logistic regression identified risk factors for motor difficulties. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of significant motor difficulties, defined as scores ≤fifth percentile on MABC-2. RESULTS: A total of 268 EPT-born and 196 term-born children were assessed. Significant motor difficulties were found in 30% of EPT-born children compared with 3% of term-born peers (adjusted OR 16.99; 95% CI 6.64 to 43.47). Male sex and lower gestational age were independently associated with higher risk. Among EPT-born children with motor difficulties, comorbidities were common, including autism spectrum disorders and attention deficit hyperactivity disorders. Only 9.5% of affected children had received physiotherapy in the previous year. CONCLUSIONS: Children born EPT, even in the absence of cerebral palsy and/or severe neurodevelopmental impairment, have a markedly increased risk of motor difficulties and associated neurodevelopmental comorbidities by age 12. Structured follow-up into mid-school age is essential to enable timely interventions.