Assessment of the perception of vertical subjectivity in children born preterm

Abstract

Purpose Children born preterm have increased rates of paediatric mortality and morbidity. Prematurity has been associated with impaired visual perception and visuo-motor integration. The aim of this study was to compare Subjective Visual Vertical Test (SVV) scores in children born preterm compared to children born at term at ages between 7 and 10. Methods 110 children of 7 to 10 years of age were studied using a mobile application on a smartphone attached to a wall by means of a rotating plate. The SVV test was compared between two groups: a group of 55 children born under 32 weeks of gestational age and another group of 55 children born at term. The SVV results were analysed for comparison with respect to prematurity, sex and age. Results We found no significant differences in the SVV study in the comparison between preterm and term children. No significant differences were observed either, regarding sex or age between 7–10 years. Conclusions We found no alterations in the perception of vertical subjectivity in children between 7 and 10 years of age, with antecedents of very preterm birth, in accordance with studies performed by posturography.