DCD and PreTerm Low Birth Weight Babies

Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology published research comparing 132 eight year old children born at 27 weeks or less or less than 1000 grams with 154 term born children. Sixteen percent of the extremely preterm or extreme low birth weight babies had moderate developmental coordination disorder (DCD). Only five percent of the full term babies had DCD. The children with DCD had poorer academic outcomes for reading, spelling and arithmetic. Results from the Child Health Questionnaire Parent Report Form indicated that parents perceptions were not predictive of DCD. The authors recommend motor screens in this at risk population.

Reference: GEHAN et al. Developmental coordination disorder in geographic cohorts of 8-year-old children born extremely preterm or extremely low birthweight in the 1990s. Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology Article first published online: 11 OCT 2010 DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-8749.2010.03779.x