Predictive value of the Movement Assessment Battery for Children ‐ Second Edition at 4 years, for motor impairment at 8 years in children born preterm. (9th January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Griffiths, Alison; Morgan, Prue; Anderson, Peter J; Doyle, Lex W; Lee, Katherine J; Spittle, Alicia J
• Is Part Of: Developmental medicine & child neurology. Volume 59:Number 5(2017)
• Page Start: 490
• Page End: 496
• Publication Date: 2017-01-09
• Subjects: Child development -- Periodicals; Pediatric neurology -- Periodicals; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.13367
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0012-1622

Abstract

Abstract : Aim: To assess the predictive validity at 4 years of the Movement Assessment Battery for Children ‐ Second Edition (MABC‐2) for motor impairment at 8 years in children born preterm. We also aimed to determine if sex, cognition, medical, or social risks were associated with motor impairment at 8 years or with a change in MABC‐2 score between 4 years and 8 years. Method: Ninety‐six children born at less than 30 weeks' gestation were assessed with the MABC‐2 at 4 years and 8 years of age. Motor impairment was defined as less than or equal to the 5th centile. The Differential Ability Scales ‐ Second Edition (DAS‐II) was used to measure General Conceptual Ability (GCA) at 4 years, with a score <90 defined as 'below average'. Results: There was a strong association between the MABC‐2 total standard scores at 4 years and 8 years (59% variance explained, regression coefficient=0.80, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.69–0.91, p <0.001). The MABC‐2 at 4 years had high sensitivity (79%) and specificity (93%) for predicting motor impairment at 8 years. Below average cognition and higher medical risk were associated with increased odds of motor impairment at 8 years (odds ratio [OR]=15.3, 95% CI 4.19–55.8, p <0.001, and OR=3.77, 95% CI 1.28–11.1, p =0.016 respectively). Sex and social risk did not appear to be associated with motor impairment at 8 years. There was little evidence that any variables were related to change in MABC‐2 score between 4 years and 8 years. Interpretation: The MABC‐2 at 4 years is predictive of motor functioning in middle childhood. Below average cognition and higher medical risk may be predictors of motor impairment. Abstract : This article is commented on by Jary on page455 of this issue.