No abstract

Reaching strategies and kinematics for a group of very preterm infants were investigated and compared with a group of full-term infants when reaching for a moving object. Eight-month-old (corrected-age) infants were presented with small toys moving on a semicircular path in the vertical plane. The trajectories of the target and the hands of the infants were measured using a 3D motion analysis system. No differences were found in how often the infants encountered the target. The very preterm group, however, used bimanual strategies more often and had more curved reaching paths than the full-term group. These results suggest that very preterm infants are equally successful as healthy full-term infants in catching a moving object but their reaching strategies are less efficient compared with full-term infants at 8 months (corrected age).

Aim The aim of the study was to investigate cognitive outcomes at 6.5 years in children born very preterm, in relation to neonatal characteristics and 2.5‐year neurodevelopment. Methods A prospective cohort, with gestational age 22.3‐31.9 weeks, born 2004‐2007, were examined at 2.5 years with the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (Bayley‐III) (n = 100) and at 6.5 years with the Wechsler Intelligence Scales (n = 91). Results Neonatal factors independently related to 6.5‐year outcome were gestational age, retinopathy of prematurity and treated persistent ductus arteriosus. The Bayley‐III cognitive scores explained only 44% of the Full‐Scale Intelligence Quotient result at 6.5 years, and 22% of the children had Wechsler index results below −1 SD, indicating cognitive impairment, after average test results at 2.5 years. The relative risk to score below −1 SD on the Full‐Scale IQ was 2.83 (95% CI 1.45‐5.53) in children with gestational age below 28 weeks and 2.22 (95% CI 1.18‐4.17) at gestational age 28‐31 weeks. Conclusion Very preterm infants born in the 2000s had increased risks for impaired cognition at 6.5 years, but individual predictions based on neonatal risks and 2.5‐year test results were not enough to identify all high‐risk children.

Convergent validity and discriminant validity of the SOMP-I were supported in preterm and term infants and facilitates early identification of infants with atypical motor development.

No abstract