Two-Year Longitudinal Motor Performance of Very Preterm and/or Very-Low-Birth-Weight Infants in Suriname

<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Follow-up studies in very preterm infants are common, but fewer studies are situated in low- or middle-income countries. In a prospective cohort study, we explored longitudinal motor performance trajectories and influencing factors, including an early motor...

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Main Authors: Anjo J. W. M. Janssen, Maria J. A. J. Fleurkens-Peeters, Reinier P. Akkermans, Se-Sergio M. Baldew, Maria W. G. Nijhuis-van der Sanden, Wilco C. W. R. Zijlmans
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Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Children
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/4/414
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author Anjo J. W. M. Janssen
Maria J. A. J. Fleurkens-Peeters
Reinier P. Akkermans
Se-Sergio M. Baldew
Maria W. G. Nijhuis-van der Sanden
Wilco C. W. R. Zijlmans
author_facet Anjo J. W. M. Janssen
Maria J. A. J. Fleurkens-Peeters
Reinier P. Akkermans
Se-Sergio M. Baldew
Maria W. G. Nijhuis-van der Sanden
Wilco C. W. R. Zijlmans
author_sort Anjo J. W. M. Janssen
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background/Objectives:</b> Follow-up studies in very preterm infants are common, but fewer studies are situated in low- or middle-income countries. In a prospective cohort study, we explored longitudinal motor performance trajectories and influencing factors, including an early motor intervention program. Very preterm infants (gestational age < 32 weeks and/or very-low-birth-weight < 1500 g) in the middle-income country of Suriname were included. <b>Methods:</b> We assessed 149 (49.7% boys) infants (mean gestational age 29<sup>+6</sup>, mean birth weight 1271 g) at 3, 12, and 24 months with the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development for fine motor (FM), gross motor (GM), and composite scores (CSs). Influencing perinatal and environmental factors were explored. Delayed-scoring infants were referred to a motor intervention program. Data were analyzed using mixed-model linear regression. <b>Results:</b> The Bayley mean FM and GM scores decreased between 3 and 12 months and stabilized at 24 months. The mean CS at 3, 12, and 24 months was 102.3, 92.7, and 92.2, respectively. The latter two were significantly below the reference values (100, SD 15, <i>p</i> < 0.01). Birth weight z-scores significantly influenced FM (<i>p</i> = 0.013) and CS (<i>p</i> = 0.009); a lower birth weight was associated with initially lower scores and a smaller decline over time than a higher birth weight. The motor intervention program (<i>n</i> = 54) showed no significant interaction effects at all time points after correction for frequency of interventions (no; 1–5; >5 interventions). <b>Conclusions:</b> Motor performance was normal at 3 months and delayed at 12 and 24 months. Birth weight, but not the early intervention program, influenced longitudinal motor trajectories. We recommend follow-up of motor performance and suggest adding the Prechtl General Movement assessment at 3 months of age. The clinical implementation of the early motor invention program needs additional studies to reach an adequate training level.
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spelling doaj-art-890d77e5e99248ca9b01151db7d557292025-08-20T02:28:18ZengMDPI AGChildren2227-90672025-03-0112441410.3390/children12040414Two-Year Longitudinal Motor Performance of Very Preterm and/or Very-Low-Birth-Weight Infants in SurinameAnjo J. W. M. Janssen0Maria J. A. J. Fleurkens-Peeters1Reinier P. Akkermans2Se-Sergio M. Baldew3Maria W. G. Nijhuis-van der Sanden4Wilco C. W. R. Zijlmans5Pediatric Physical Therapy, Department of Rehabilitation, Amalia Children’s Hospital, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The NetherlandsPediatric Physical Therapy, Department of Rehabilitation, Academic Hospital Paramaribo, Flustraat 1, Paramaribo, SurinameIQ Health Science Department, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 EP Nijmegen, The NetherlandsPhysical Therapy Department, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Anton de Kom University of Suriname, Prof. W.J. Kernkampweg 5, Paramaribo, SurinamePediatric Physical Therapy, Department of Rehabilitation, Amalia Children’s Hospital, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The NetherlandsDiscipline of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Anton de Kom University of Suriname, Prof. W.J. Kernkampweg 5, Paramaribo, Suriname<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Follow-up studies in very preterm infants are common, but fewer studies are situated in low- or middle-income countries. In a prospective cohort study, we explored longitudinal motor performance trajectories and influencing factors, including an early motor intervention program. Very preterm infants (gestational age < 32 weeks and/or very-low-birth-weight < 1500 g) in the middle-income country of Suriname were included. <b>Methods:</b> We assessed 149 (49.7% boys) infants (mean gestational age 29<sup>+6</sup>, mean birth weight 1271 g) at 3, 12, and 24 months with the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development for fine motor (FM), gross motor (GM), and composite scores (CSs). Influencing perinatal and environmental factors were explored. Delayed-scoring infants were referred to a motor intervention program. Data were analyzed using mixed-model linear regression. <b>Results:</b> The Bayley mean FM and GM scores decreased between 3 and 12 months and stabilized at 24 months. The mean CS at 3, 12, and 24 months was 102.3, 92.7, and 92.2, respectively. The latter two were significantly below the reference values (100, SD 15, <i>p</i> < 0.01). Birth weight z-scores significantly influenced FM (<i>p</i> = 0.013) and CS (<i>p</i> = 0.009); a lower birth weight was associated with initially lower scores and a smaller decline over time than a higher birth weight. The motor intervention program (<i>n</i> = 54) showed no significant interaction effects at all time points after correction for frequency of interventions (no; 1–5; >5 interventions). <b>Conclusions:</b> Motor performance was normal at 3 months and delayed at 12 and 24 months. Birth weight, but not the early intervention program, influenced longitudinal motor trajectories. We recommend follow-up of motor performance and suggest adding the Prechtl General Movement assessment at 3 months of age. The clinical implementation of the early motor invention program needs additional studies to reach an adequate training level.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/4/414premature birthfollow-upmotorlow- or middle-income countryBayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Developmentlongitudinal
spellingShingle Anjo J. W. M. Janssen
Maria J. A. J. Fleurkens-Peeters
Reinier P. Akkermans
Se-Sergio M. Baldew
Maria W. G. Nijhuis-van der Sanden
Wilco C. W. R. Zijlmans
Two-Year Longitudinal Motor Performance of Very Preterm and/or Very-Low-Birth-Weight Infants in Suriname
Children
premature birth
follow-up
motor
low- or middle-income country
Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development
longitudinal
title Two-Year Longitudinal Motor Performance of Very Preterm and/or Very-Low-Birth-Weight Infants in Suriname
title_full Two-Year Longitudinal Motor Performance of Very Preterm and/or Very-Low-Birth-Weight Infants in Suriname
title_fullStr Two-Year Longitudinal Motor Performance of Very Preterm and/or Very-Low-Birth-Weight Infants in Suriname
title_full_unstemmed Two-Year Longitudinal Motor Performance of Very Preterm and/or Very-Low-Birth-Weight Infants in Suriname
title_short Two-Year Longitudinal Motor Performance of Very Preterm and/or Very-Low-Birth-Weight Infants in Suriname
title_sort two year longitudinal motor performance of very preterm and or very low birth weight infants in suriname
topic premature birth
follow-up
motor
low- or middle-income country
Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development
longitudinal
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/4/414
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