149 - Fine and Gross Motor Function in Adults Born Preterm with Very Low Birth Weight: A Longitudinal Study of Two Nordic Birth Cohorts

Sunday, April 30, 2023

3:30 PM – 6:00 PM ET

Poster Number: 149
Publication Number: 149.362

Silje Dahl Benum, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), 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, Oulu, Pohjois-Pohjanmaa, Finland; Kari Anne I.. Evensen, NTNU, Trondheim, Sor-Trondelag, Norway

Presenting Author(s)

Silje D. Benum, MSc (she/her/hers)

PhD Candidate
Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
Trondheim, Sor-Trondelag, Norway

Background: Motor problems are the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in individuals born preterm with very low birth weight (VLBW; birth weight ≤1500 g) and seem to persist through adolescence and into young adulthood. Evidence is scarce regarding the existence of such problems later in adulthood.

Objective: To compare fine and gross motor function in VLBW adults with term born controls.

Design/Methods: Data was collected with harmonized methods in a joint assessment of two birth cohorts: the Helsinki Study of Very Low Birth Weight Adults and the Norwegian University of Science and Technology Low Birth Weight Life. In total, 117 VLBW adults (mean age 36.1, SD 3.2) and 147 controls (mean age 35.8, SD 3.2) were examined. Fine motor function was assessed with the Grooved Pegboard test (GP), Trail Making Test-5 (TMT-5) and Fine Motor Integration and Manual Dexterity subtests of the Bruininks Motor Ability Test (BMAT). Gross motor function was assessed with the BMAT subtests Coordination, Balance and Mobility, and Strength and Flexibility, and the High-level Mobility Assessment Tool (HiMAT). We used bootstrapped general linear model adjusted for cohort, age and sex. Sensitivity analysis excluding participants with neurosensory impairment (NSI) was performed.

Results: The VLBW group had higher GP z-scores, and lower TMT-5 and BMAT Fine Motor Integration and Manual Dexterity scores compared with the control group (Table 1), corresponding to poorer fine motor function. Furthermore, the VLBW group scored lower on BMAT Coordination, Balance and Mobility, and Strength and Flexibility, and all items of the HiMAT (Table 2). When excluding participants with NSI, the results barely changed, except the BMAT Balance and Mobility subtest where the mean difference was reduced to -0.02 points (95% CI: -0.1 to 0.0).

Conclusion(s): We found that VLBW adults had more difficulties in both fine and gross motor function compared with the control group. This indicates that individuals born preterm with VLBW have global motor function problems which lasts into mid-adulthood.