270 - Motor abilities in adults born with very low birth weight: a longitudinal study of two birth cohorts

Poster Number: 270
Publication Number: 270.225

Silje D. Benum, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Sor-Trondelag, Norway; Kristina Anna Djupvik Aakvik, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Sor-Trondelag, Norway; Laura Jussinniemi, University of Oulu and Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Liminka, Pohjois-Pohjanmaa, Finland; Maarit K. Kulmala, FInnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki University Hospital, Espoo, Uusimaa, Finland; Anna Jørgensen, NTNU, Trondheim, Sor-Trondelag, Norway; Eero Kajantie, University of Oulu and Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, Helsinki, Uusimaa, Finland; Kari Anne I. Evensen, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Sor-Trondelag, Norway

Background: There are consistent findings of fine and gross motor impairment in individuals born preterm with very low birth weight (VLBW: ≤1500 g), starting from infancy and lasting into adolescence and early adulthood. The big improvement in intensive neonatal care over the last decades has led to an increase in survival of the smallest and most immature infants, and the first generations of those that survived are now adults in their 30s and 40s. There are no studies of objectively measured motor abilities of VLBW adults entering mid-adulthood.

Objective: To investigate fine and gross motor skills in adults born with VLBW compared to term born controls measured by an adult motor ability test.

Design/Methods: Data was collected in a joint assessment of two longitudinal birth cohorts with harmonized methods; the Helsinki Study of Very Low Birth Weight Adults (HeSVA) cohort and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) Low Birth Weight Life cohort. A total of 112 VLBW adults (46 men and 66 women) and 145 term born controls (61 men and 84 women) participated in the current assessment. Table 1 shows the participants’ characteristics. To measure motor abilities, we used the short version of the standardized Bruininks Motor Ability Test (BMAT) of adult fine and gross motor skills. Participants received a total score (0-69) as well as five subtest scores for Fine Motor Integration (0-14), Manual Dexterity (0-18), Coordination (0-10), Balance and Mobility (0-9) and Strength and Flexibility (0-18). Results were adjusted for cohort, age, and sex.

Results: Table 2 shows the results of the total BMAT scores and the five subtest scores in the VLBW compared with the control group. Mean total BMAT score was 2.9 points (95% CI 2.0-3.9) lower in the VLBW group (p=0.001). Mean subtest scores were all lower in the VLBW group compared to the control group ranging from 0.2 to 1.7 points, except for Balance and Mobility.Conclusion(s): The current study found that adults born preterm with VLBW in general had poorer motor abilities compared with term born controls as measured by an adult motor ability test. The results show that motor impairment in the VLBW population is not only present early in life but extends into adult life, and it may in fact be an everlasting challenge for this population.
Table 1. Birth weight, gestational age, sex and current age of the participants.SD: Standard Deviation
VLBW: Very Low Birth Weight
Table 2. Unadjusted mean (SD) of adults born VLBW and at term and mean differences (95% CI) between VLBW adults and adults born at term, adjusted for age, sex and cohort.CI: Confidence Interval
SD: Standard Deviation
VLBW: Very Low Birth Weight