Studies have found that there is a tight interdependence between mental, neuromusculoskeletal, and movement-related functions in terms of global development. Pediatricians, parents, child-care, and teachers must be aware that the growing brain and body are deceptively capable of hiding cognitive and motor functions delays and deficits. For this reason, early diagnosis and intervention is essential for children born premature or with low birth weight. Early preterm infants are more likely to have delays in fine motor and gross motor functions, working memory, and sensory integration. This cohort was also found to display deficits in visuomotor, visuospatial, cognitive, and other skills related to education. There is a wealth of studies on very preterm children. However, moderate to late preterm infants should be monitored for early diagnosis of neuropsychological disorders related to visual-motor, visual-perception, and language development.

1. Effects of
Preterm Birth
on Motor
Skills – Part I
1ozella.brundidge@gmail.com 6/22/2017
(Rebis, 2017)

2. Larger Cerebellar Volumes were Associated with Higher Motor
Composite Scores on the Bayler-III in 2-year old Toddlers Born
Moderate (32-33) to Late Preterm (34-36)
2
The Cerebellum is Responsible for Motor Functions
~Rapid Third Trimester Cerebellar Growth is Impeded by Preterm Birth~
(Cheong, Thompson, Spittle, Potter, Walsh, Burnett, Lee, Chen, et al., 2016; Limperopoulos et al., 2005 in Jiang, et al., 2012)
King, 2012
Larger Cerebellar Volumes are Associated with
Higher Motor Composite Scores on the Bayler-III in
2-year old Moderate (32-33) to Late Preterm (34-36) Toddlers
ozella.brundidge@gmail.com 6/22/2017

3. Global Development in Relation to
Mental – Neuromuscular – Movement Abilities
3
(Aylward, 2002 in Lubsen, et al., 2011; Nadeau et al., 2001 in 2011; Rose et al., 2008 in 2011; (Diamond, 2000 in Park,
et al., 2014; Koziol, Budding, & Chidekel, 2012 in 2014; Wassenberg et al., 2005 in 2014)
There is a tight Interdependence
between Mental, Neuromusculoskeletal
and Movement-Related functions in
terms of Global Development.
ozella.brundidge@gmail.com 6/22/2017

4. The Posterior Part of the Thalamus is Connected to the
Posterior Parts of the Cerebral Cortex
The Thalamus Nuclei is connected to the:
 Motor cortex
 Prefrontal cortex
Increasing prematurity is related to volume reduction, neuronal loss, gliosis, and axonal
abnormality in the thalamus (Ball, et al., 2012; Volpe, 2009)
4
Parietal Lobe
Occipital Lobe
Temporal Lobe
ozella.brundidge@gmail.com 6/22/2017

5. Early Preterm (EPT) Infants Experience Multiple Delays
Compared with Full-Term Infants, EPTs are more likely to have
Delays in
 Fine and gross motor functioning
 Sensory integration
 Cognitive functioning
 Communication
Behavioral and socio-emotional problems
5
(Kerstjens, et al., 2011 citations: Stephens & Vohr, 2009; Saigal & Doyle, 2008; Taylor, Klein, & Hack, 2000;
Marlow, 2004; Hokken-Koelega, 2017)
(2017)
ozella.brundidge@gmail.com 6/22/2017

6. In order for the brain to cope with the demands of formal education, it needs to be
exposed to and learn to deal with a rich variety of sensory and motor experiences,
both at home and in early childhood education facilities.
6(Karabulut, 2013)
Formal Educational Experiences Enhance Sensory Motor Perceptions
ozella.brundidge@gmail.com 6/22/2017

7. Adverse Effects of Medical Treatment that take a
Long Time to become Apparent are harder to
uncover
7
The Growing Brain and Body are Deceptively Capable of Keeping Adverse Preterm
Effects Hidden Until Cognitive and Motor Functions can be Meaningfully Evaluated
(Jain, 2008)
Long-term follow-up for moderate and late preterms is need.
Adverse effects of some neonatal medical treatments
and morbidities take a long time to become apparent,
making them harder to uncover.
ozella.brundidge@gmail.com 6/22/2017

8. Preterm Children Present with a Unique Pattern of Cognitive
Deficits Including:
8
 Visuomotor skills
 Visuospatial skills
 Executive function skills
 Non-verbal learning disabilities independent of IQ
 Early language development
(Sansavini, et al., 2007; Bayless & Stevenson, 2007; Stolt, 2007; Baron, et al., 2009; Waber & McCormick, 1995; Anderson & Doyle,
2004; Aylward, 2002; Bayless & Stevenson, 2007; Fazzi, et al., 2009; Feng, et al., 2011; Kirkeguard, et al., 2006; Short, et al., 2003; Wolke
& Meyer, 1999)
ozella.brundidge@gmail.com 6/22/2017

9. 9
A Sequential Chain of Effects that starts with
Preterm Birth may lead to specific deficiencies in
Neuro-Motor and Behavioral functions, in addition
to Cognitive, Language, Reading, and Skills.
(Aylward, 2002 in Lubsen, et al., 2011; Nadeau et al., 2001 in 2011; Rose et al., 2008 in 2011; (Diamond, 2000 in Park,
et al., 2014; Koziol, Budding, & Chidekel, 2012 in 2014; Wassenberg et al., 2005 in 2014)
Preterm Births May be Linked to Specific Deficiencies
ozella.brundidge@gmail.com 6/22/2017

10. Preterm Births are Associated with
Learning Explicit Motor Skills
Children born preterm have a higher risk for
developing motor, cognitive, and working memory
problems. Working memory is important for explicit
learning of motor skills.
(Jongbloed-Perwboom, Janssen, Steenburgen, & Steenburgen, 2012; Sinha, 2013)
ozella.brundidge@gmail.com 6/22/2017
10

11. Motor Development Similarities between
Very Preterm and Late Preterm Births
(Baron, et al., 2011 check references 10 11 & 12; de Kieviet, Piek, Aarnoudse-Moens, Oosterlaan, 2009 in Lee, et al., 2011)
11
Late-Preterm Infants may
also Experience Subtle to
Extreme Motor Impairment
Motor Development problems in
Very Preterm and Very Low-Birth
Weight Children from Birth to
Adolescence are Common
What was
already known
What Researchers
are finding
ozella.brundidge@gmail.com 6/22/2017

12. 12
(Caravale, et al., 2012; van Otterloo, van der Leij, Henrichs, 2009 in 2012; Kirk & Gillon,
2007 in 2012; Guarini, Sansavini, Fabbri, Savini, Alessandroni, Faldella, et al., 2010 in 2012)
Improve Outcome
by Allowing Timely
Rehabilitation
Therapy
to
Prevent more
Complex
Learning
Disabilities
Such as
Developmental
Dyslexia
Dyscalculia
At School Age
Moderate to Late Preterm Infants should be Monitored for Early Diagnosis of
Neuropsychological Disorders related to
Visual-Motor, Visual-Perceptual, and Language Development
(Math difficulties)
ozella.brundidge@gmail.com 6/22/2017

13. End of
Effects Preterm Birth on Motor
Skills – Part I
13ozella.brundidge@gmail.com 6/22/2017
(Rebis, 2017)