Risk factors for motor coordination problems in preschool‐age children

Abstract

Background: Motor coordination problems (MCP) in children can sometimes be diagnosed as developmental coordination disorder. Early intervention for developmental coordination disorder is necessary because it often continues into adolescence, causing mental and physical complications. Few studies have investigated the prevalence of childhood MCP in the Japanese population, examining the risk factors for MCP. We therefore investigated the prenatal factors associated with MCP in preschool-age children. Methods: This study was based on a prospective cohort study, the Hokkaido Study on Environment and Children's Health. Mothers of 4,851 children who reached the age of 5 years within the study-period received questionnaires, including the Japanese version of the Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (DCDQ-J). We examined the risk factors associated with MCP using logistic regression analysis. Results: Of 3,402 returned DCDQ-J questionnaires, 3,369 were answered completely. From the 3,369 children, we categorized having MCP by using two cutoff scores: that of the DCDQ'07 and the cutoff at the 5th percentile of a total DCDQ-J score. Comparing children with and without MCP, we found significant differences in the education level of the mothers, annual household income during pregnancy, maternal alcohol consumption and smoking during pregnancy, and sex and age of the children at the time of completing the DCDQ-J by both categorizations. Adjusted logistic regression analysis revealed that maternal smoking during the first trimester of pregnancy and male sex were significantly associated with MCP. Conclusions: Our results suggest that maternal smoking during pregnancy is the main factor associated with MCP in preschool-age children.

Early factors associated with risk of developmental coordination disorder in very preterm children: A prospective area‐based cohort study in Italy

“…We found that both SGA and smoking were independently associated with increased DCD risk, although in different domains, with only smoking affecting Control during Movement. These findings are consistent with previous research showing a relation between antenatal smoking and motor difficulties, 17 even when cotinine markers were used 18,20 and when socio‐economic factors and alcohol intake were taken into account 19 56 …”

“…These findings are consistent with previous research showing a relation between antenatal smoking and motor difficulties, 17 even when cotinine markers were used 18,20 and when socio-economic factors and alcohol intake were taken into account. 19 Cigarette smoke contains several harmful substances that can cross the placenta and affect the child prenatally. 56 Nicotine binds to receptors of several organs, including the brain.…”

“…While males are generally found at higher risk, 1,[4][5][6][7] a recent review states that this applies to the general paediatric population only. 16 Associations were reported between DCD and pregnancy exposures, such as active 4,[17][18][19] and passive 20,21 maternal smoking, and with medical conditions including threatened abortion before 20 weeks, 22 infection/inflammation, 23,24 fetal distress during labour 22,25 and intrauterine growth restriction, 4,26 although this latter was not always confirmed 14 or explored 22 in subsequent studies.…”

Hokkaido birth cohort study on environment and children’s health: cohort profile 2021

“…In the Hokkaido birth cohort, for developmental disorder symptoms, active maternal smoking, as determined by the levels of maternal plasma cotinine, contributed to an increased risk in a child’s total difficulties and hyperactivity/inattention at a pre-school age [ 56 ]. Smoking during pregnancy was also the main factor associated with motor coordination problems in preschool-aged children [ 57 ]. As described in subsection “ Prenatal chemical exposure, birth size, growth, and cord adiponectin and leptin as predictors ”, the association between the decreased hyperactivity/inattention and increased leptin suggested that cord blood adipokines may be a predictor of hyperactivity/inattention problems at a preschool age [ 58 ].…”

Decreased walking efficiency in elementary school children with developmental coordination disorder trait

“…The Japanese version of the Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire is an adaptation of the original Questionnaire, performed according to international guidelines for translation of clinical tools, to adapt to the Japanese culture. 12,13,16 The questionnaire is comprised of three subscales, as follows: control during movement, six items; fine motor and handwriting, four items; and general coordination, five items. 7,12 Each item is assessed on a five-point scale, with a lower score indicative of a more severe developmental coordination disorder trait.…”