Gross Motor Milestones and Subsequent Development

Abstract

Objectives We examined the longitudinal associations of age at achieving gross motor milestones and children’s development in a U.S. cohort of singletons and twins. Methods In Upstate KIDS, a population-based study of children born 2008–2010, information on age at achievement of motor milestones and developmental skills was available in 599 children (314 singletons, 259 twins, and 26 triplets). Mothers reported their children’s major motor milestones at ~4, 8, 12, 18, and 24 months. At age 4 years, children’s development was clinically assessed using the Battelle Developmental Inventory, Second Edition (BDI-2). Primary analyses using multivariate linear regressions were conducted in singletons. We also examined the associations in twins. Results Later achievement of standing with assistance predicted lower BDI-2 scores in singletons in adjusted models (B per SD of age at achievement, −21.9 [95% confidence interval (CI): −41.5 to −2.2]). Post-hoc analysis on age of standing with assistance showed that associations were driven by differences in adaptive (B = −5.3, [95%CI, −9.0 to −1.6]) and cognitive (B = −5.9 [95%CI, −11.5 to −0.4]) skills. Analyses restricted to twins suggested no association between the age at achievement of milestones and total BDI-2 score after adjustment for gestational age and birth weight. Conclusions This study provides evidence that the age of achieving motor milestones may be an important basis for various aspects of later child development. In twins, key predictors of later development (e.g., perinatal factors) overshadow the predictive role of milestones in infancy.

Inability of infants to push up in the prone position and subsequent development

“…In contrast, the development in the other four domains was also slower in the non‐prone group than in the prone group. In preterm and full‐term infants, motor development in early childhood is strongly associated with development in other areas . The present findings are consistent with this.…”

“…The relationship between the age of achieving motor milestones in infancy and subsequent development has been investigated in various areas, such as cognitive, communication, and personal–social skills . Most such studies have targeted major gross motor milestones such as sitting, crawling on hands and knees, standing, and walking alone.…”

Breastfeeding and motor development in term and preterm infants in a longitudinal US cohort

“…Motor development is one of the first developmental domains that may deviate from the normal trajectory in young children, and motor development may predict later cognitive function (5). There are limited data as to what constitutes normal motor development in preterm infants especially in relation to infant feeding.…”

“…Some studies have shown that breastfeeding is associated with aspects of neurodevelopment such as improved cognition (2) although a recent analysis in the Generation R cohort suggested that differences in child intelligence quotients are minimal after controlling for confounding (3). The relation between infant feeding and motor development is also of interest because early motor development may be associated with language development and cognitive ability (4,5). The evidence linking breastfeeding with early motor development has been mixed, with some studies showing improved motor development in breastfed infants and toddlers (6)(7)(8) but other studies showing no associations or, specifically, no improvement in gross motor development (9)(10)(11).…”

Disruption to functional networks in neonates with perinatal brain injury predicts motor skills at 8 months

“…Importantly, screening tests like the 326 AIMS and INFANIB provide the first signs not only of motor disability but also of more 327 general neurodevelopmental delays and disorders, and it has consequently been argued that all 328 infants should undergo developmental motor screening at the end of the first year 53 . By 8 329 months, motor milestones are predictive of various aspects of later development, even when 330 controlling for gestational age, birth weight, and disability 54 . Long-term follow-up 331 information would provide important insights into the power of fcMRI collected at term-332 equivalent age to improve early prediction of broader cognitive and social outcomes for 333 infants at risk.…”