Longitudinal assessment of perceptual-motor abilities in pre-school preterm children

Early Hum Dev. 2014 Oct;90(10):645-7. doi: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2014.08.001. Epub 2014 Aug 29.

¹ Paediatric Neurology Unit, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy.
² Paediatric Neurology Unit, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy; Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Neuroscience, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome, Italy.
³ Division of Neonatology Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy.
⁴ Paediatric Neurology Unit, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy. Electronic address: dricciola@gmail.com.

Abstract

Objective: To verify the value of early perceptual-motor assessment in preterms.

Methods: The M-ABC2 was performed below the age 3 years-4 months and 1 year later.

Results: At 4 years children showed a significant improvement in the scores and reduced rate of refusals.

Conclusion: Early findings may be related to delayed maturation.

Keywords: Outcome; Perceptual-motor; Preterm infants.