The association between the early motor repertoire and language development in term children born after normal pregnancy

Abstract

BackgroundThe assessment of the early motor repertoire is a widely used method for assessing the infant's neurological status. AimTo determine the association between the early motor repertoire and language development. Study designProspective cohort study. Subjects22 term children born after normal pregnancy; video recorded for the assessment of the early motor repertoire including their motor optimality score (MOS), according to Prechtl, at 3 and 5months post term. Outcome measuresAt 4years 7months and 10years 5months, we tested the children's language performance by administering three tests for expressive language and two for receptive language. ResultsSmooth and fluent movements at 3months of age was associated with better expressive language outcome at both 4years 7months and 10years 5months (betas 0.363 and 0.628). A higher MOS at 5months was associated with better expressive language at both ages (betas 0.486 and 0.628). The item postural patterns at 5months was the only aspect associated with poorer expressive language outcome (beta −0.677). ConclusionPredominantly, qualitative aspects of the early motor repertoire at the age of 3 and 5months are associated with language development.