A decade comparison of preterm motor performance at age 4.

This was a prospective longitudinal study of two cohorts comprised of one full term and three premature infant groups born 10 years apart. Birth cohort, perinatal morbidity, and birth weight effects were investigated at age 4. Cohort 1 (1985-1989) had longer gestation, higher birth weight, and better Apgar scores than Cohort 2 (1996-1999), which had more intraventricular hemorrhage and bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Cohort and perinatal morbidity group, but not birth weight, predicted motor scores. Preterm Cohort 2 children had better oral motor, fine motor, and total motor scores, but lower visual motor integration scores than Cohort 1. Motor problems continue to affect preterm children at age 4, in particular those who experience perinatal morbidity, despite a decade of neonatal intensive care advancements.