LOW-BIRTH-WEIGHT AND NEUROMOTOR DEVELOPMENT - A POPULATION-BASED, CONTROLLED-STUDY

The aims of the study were to investigate: (a) the relationship betwee n low birthweight (LBW) and preschool neuromotor development; and (b) the predictive value of various pre-, peri-, and neonatal factors for neuromotor development in LBW pre-school children. A population based sample of 144 5-year-old LBW children (birthweight <2000 g) with no ma jor handicaps was compared with a random sample of 163 normal birthwei ght term controls. Using the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales, impai red performance on the balance scale was seen more often in LBW boys t han in controls (odds ratio 5.5, 95% CI 1.5-20.3), while performance o n the eye-hand coordination and locomotor scales was comparable for th e two groups. LBW girls were comparable to controls on all these scale s. On neurological examination, an increased frequency of minor neurol ogical signs was found in LBW boys, while increased ankle tone and/or leg hyperreflexia was more common in LBW girls compared to controls. S mall head circumference at birth was associated with an increased freq uency of minor neurological signs in LBW boys, and lack of breastmilk in the neonatal period with impaired balance in LBW boys. None of the other pre-, peri- or neonatal factors were predictive of neuromotor de velopment. We conclude that motor functions essential for daily activi ties are intact in most LBW preschoolers.