Fine motor coordination and writing of 6-9 year-old children born preterm and full term

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the relation between fine motor coordination and the quality of writing in school children born preterm and full term. Method: Description and comparison between the preterm group – 28 school children with gestational ages between 32 and 36 weeks, birth weight ≤ 2500 g; and full term group – 28 school children born at gestational age ≥ 37 weeks, birth weight ≥ 2500 g, paired by gender, age, school class and socioeconomic status. The parents of the school children in both groups completed questionnaires on motor performance and economic classification. Motor performance and writing were assessed by the Motor Coordination and Dexterity Assessment (ACOORDEM), and the teachers completed questionnaires to identify motor cordination difficulties (DCDQ–Brazil), attention, and learning (EDTAH) deficits. Results: There were significant differences in some items of writing and fine coordination tests, and preterm infants tended to underperform in writing, fine and global coordination and were more prone to attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder. A correlation between performance in writing and some motor items was found. The results indicated greater probability of motor and writing difficulties among preterm school children, with implications for their care and education.