Neonatal white matter abnormality predicts childhood motor impairment in very preterm children

Abstract

Aim Children born very preterm are at risk for impaired motor performance ranging from cerebral palsy (CP) to milder abnormalities, such as developmental coordination disorder. White matter abnormalities (WMA) at term have been associated with CP in very preterm children; however, little is known about the impact of WMA on the range of motor impairments. The aim of this study was to assess whether WMA were predictive of all levels of motor impairments in very preterm children. Method Two hundred and twenty‐seven very preterm infants (p=0.002) and mild to severe impairment by twofold (OR 2.2; 95% CI 1.1–4.2; p=0.02). Compared with no WMA, moderate to severe WMA increased the odds for moderate to severe impairment 19‐fold (OR 19.4; 95% CI 5.6–66.7; pp<0.001). Results remained similar after controlling for several potential confounders and after excluding 14 children who had CP at age 2 years. Interpretation WMA predict motor impairment at 5 years, with rates of impairment increasing with more severe WMA. Very preterm children with any WMA at term require follow‐up throughout childhood.