‘Low-normal’ motor skills in infants at high risk for poor developmental outcomes : A prevalence and prognostic study

Journal article

Danks, Marcella, Flynn, Emma J., Gray, Peter H. and Hurrion, Elizabeth M.. (2022). ‘Low-normal’ motor skills in infants at high risk for poor developmental outcomes : A prevalence and prognostic study. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology. 64(12), pp. 1517-1523. https://doi.org/10.1111/dmcn.15267
AuthorsDanks, Marcella, Flynn, Emma J., Gray, Peter H. and Hurrion, Elizabeth M.
Abstract

Aim
To investigate the prevalence and prognostic value of ‘low-normal’ motor skills in infants at high-risk for poor developmental outcomes.

Method
Infants born extremely low-birthweight and extremely preterm discharged from neonatal intensive care between 2015 and 2018 completed the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS), Neuro-Sensory Motor Developmental Assessment (NSMDA) at corrected age 4, 8, and 12 months, and Griffiths Mental Development Scale at corrected age 12 months.

Results
Participating infants (n = 191) with a mean gestational age (95% confidence interval [CI]) of 26.80 weeks (26.60, 27.1) and mean birthweight (95% CI) of 869 grams (843, 895) included 45 (23.80%) infants small for gestational age. AIMS rated 50.32%, 35.37%, and 14.86% of infants within the ‘low-normal’ motor skills range (1–2 SD below the mean for age) at 4, 8, and 12 months respectively. Of the infants within the AIMS ‘low-normal’ skills range, 55.70%, 88.46%, and 59.10% were classified as having impairment by NSMDA at 4, 8, and 12 months respectively. Griffiths assessment at 12 months identified only 7.33% of infants with ‘low-normal’ skills and 3.33% with motor disability. Minimal motor impairment rating on the NSMDA at 4 or 8 months significantly predicted general development at 12 months.

Interpretation
High-risk infants with ‘low-normal’ motor skills may warrant referral to early intervention as associated impairment represents increased risk for poorer general development outcomes.

What this paper adds
• High prevalence of ‘low-normal’ motor skill exists in high-risk infants.
• Clinical motor assessment validly identifies infants with motor impairment.
• Minimal motor impairment in high-risk infants is prognostic of general development.
• High-risk infants with ‘low-normal’ motor skills may warrant early intervention.
• Griffiths Scales of Child Development, Third Edition assessment at 12-months age may under-identify motor difficulties.

Year2022
JournalDevelopmental Medicine and Child Neurology
Journal citation64 (12), pp. 1517-1523
PublisherWiley
ISSN0012-1622
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1111/dmcn.15267
PubMed ID35598100
Scopus EID2-s2.0-85130287454
Page range1517-1523
FunderMater Mothers' Hospital
Publisher's version
License
All rights reserved
File Access Level
Controlled
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online21 May 2022
Publication process dates
Accepted15 Apr 2022
Deposited26 Jul 2023
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