Preterm birth and developmental problems in the preschool age. Part I: minor motor problems

J Matern Fetal Neonatal Med. 2012 Nov;25(11):2154-9. doi: 10.3109/14767058.2012.696164. Epub 2012 Jun 19.

Abstract

Nearly half of very preterm (VP) and extremely preterm (EP) infants suffers from minor disabilities. The paper overviews the literature dealing with motor problems other than cerebral palsy (CP) during infancy and preschool age. The term "minor motor problems" indicates a wide spectrum of motor disorders other than CP; "minor" does not mean "minimal", as a relevant proportion of the preterm infants will develop academic and behavioural problems at school age. Early onset disorders consist of abnormal general movements (GMs), transient dystonia and postural instability; these conditions usually fade during the first months. They were underestimated in the past; recently, qualitative assessment of GMs using Prechtl's method has become a major item of the neurological examination. Late onset disorders include developmental coordination disorder (DCD) and/or minor neurological dysfunction (MND): both terms cover partly overlapping problems. Simple MND (MND-1) and complex MND (MND-2) can be identified and MND-2 gives a higher risk for learning and behavioural disorders. A relationship between the quality of GMs and MND in childhood has been recently described. The Touwen infant neurological examination (TINE) can reliably detect neurological signs of MND even in infancy. However, the prognostic value of these disorders requires further investigations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Child, Preschool
  • Developmental Disabilities / epidemiology
  • Developmental Disabilities / etiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Premature / growth & development*
  • Infant, Premature / physiology
  • Motor Activity / physiology
  • Motor Skills Disorders / epidemiology
  • Motor Skills Disorders / etiology
  • Neuromuscular Diseases / congenital
  • Neuromuscular Diseases / epidemiology
  • Neuromuscular Diseases / etiology*
  • Pregnancy
  • Premature Birth* / epidemiology
  • Premature Birth* / physiopathology