Are behaviour problems in extremely low-birthweight children related to their motor ability?

作者：Danks Marcella; Cherry Kate; Burns Yvonne R; Gray Peter H

来源：Acta Paediatrica, 2017, 106(4): 568-572.

DOI：10.1111/apa.13712

• Behaviour
• Extremely low birthweight
• Motor
• Motor problems
• Premature children

Aim: To investigate whether behaviour problems are independently related to mild motor impairment in 11-13-year-old children born preterm with extremely low birthweight (ELBW).
Methods: The cross-sectional study included 48 (27 males) non-disabled, otherwise healthy ELBW children (<1000 g) and 55 (28 males) term-born peers. Parents reported behaviour using the Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL). Children completed the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (Movement ABC).
Results: Extremely low birthweight 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 the strongest association with attention ( = 0.51; p < 0.01) and social behaviours ( = 0.50; p < 0.01).
Conclusion: Behaviour problems of otherwise healthy 11-to 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.

• 出版日期2017-4