Gross-motor Development Research Articles

Association of Maternal Toxoplasma Gondii Molecular and Serological Positivity With Child's Gross-Motor Development and Behavior in Tribal Regions of Gujarat, India: A Prospective Study.

Association of Maternal Toxoplasma Gondii Molecular and Serological Positivity With Child's Gross-Motor Development and Behavior in Tribal Regions of Gujarat, India: A Prospective Study.

Development of gross motor skills in children under the age of 3 years: a decision tree approach.

The early years of life are critical for gross motor development (GMD). This study utilized decision tree modeling to examine the influences on gross motor development in children under the age of 3 years and to rank the key factors affecting their development. Based on randomized stratified sampling, 9,507 children aged 0-3 years in Shenzhen were included in this study. The Ages and Stages Questionnaires (ASQ) were utilized for the assessment of gross motor development. The chi-square test was used to compare groups, and variables were screened using univariable and multivariable regression analyses. Decision tree modeling was employed to rank the importance of statistically significant variables. The research found a prevalence of gross motor developmental delay of 1.41% among the respondents. The accuracy of the decision tree model is 70.96%. The results demonstrated a strong correlation between seven variables affecting the gross motor development of children, which were ranked based on importance: age, whether to provide supplementary food, average time spent interacting with children, family type, feeding method, mode of delivery, and birth order. The risk of gross motor developmental delay increases with age. Furthermore, supplementary food and interacting with other children are critical factors in improving children's GMD delay. It is therefore imperative to enhance the monitoring of children's gross motor skills through regular developmental assessments that detect potential GMD delays. Moreover, family type, feeding method, mode of delivery, and birth order were also predictive factors of GMD delay.

Programa polimotor de capacidades coordinativas sobre la memoria de trabajo en escolares de Onzaga, Santander

Gross motor development (GDM) and working memory (WM) are different skills that can activate similar brain areas, a duality that has not been studied in depth. Objective: to identify the effect of a multimotor program of coordinative abilities on WM in schoolchildren from a public educational institution. The quasi-experimental study of 2 arms (GI and CG) in 8 weeks was carried out in 40 schoolchildren of both sexes (8 to 11 years). DMG was measured with the T3js test and MT by Corsi cubes. The mean age was 9.67±0.95 years. A positive relationship was observed in the GI between DMG (T3js7) and MT (Spam 6) (McNemar =6109, p<0.05). The intervention of a multi-motor program of coordinative abilities in MT, identified that ball driving (T3js7) apparently presents a greater involvement in the memorization of series of cubes, which could be used as a strategy from Physical Education.

Impact of Xbox Gaming on Object control skills and Balance for children with autism spectrum disorder-A Pilot study

Background: Children with ASD could face difficulties in a variety of areas including object handling skills andbalance. These issues can impair their ability to accomplish everyday tasks, participate in physical activity andsuccessfully communicate with their surroundings.Purpose: To determine the impact of xbox gaming on object control skills and balance for children with ASD.Methods: A pilot study was conducted with a total of 20 ASD children who were allocated into two groups.The experimental group (n=10) received xbox gaming and the conventional group received conventional therapy(n=10) The therapy was provided for 40 minutes five days a week for eight weeks to both groups. The test of grossmotor development scale-2 and a pediatric balance scale were used to determine the before and post-test values ofObject control skills (OCSs) & Balance.Results: The results findings shows that the experimental group pre and post-test values using the test of grossmotor development scale-2(14.2±4.04,33±8.02) and conventional group (12.2±4.56,23.2±2.85) have a p valueof <0.01.Experimental group pre- and post-test values using pediatric balance scale was(30.4±4.59,46.9±5.04)and conventional group was (28±4.94,36.9±5.38)with a p value<0.01.The outcome revealed highly significantdifferences within and between the two groups.Conclusion: This study concludes that xbox gaming for children with ASD proves a promising way for improvingobject control skills and balance. Participants revealed significant gains in advanced technology.

Duration of Neonatal Antibiotic Exposure in Preterm Infants in Association with Health and Developmental Outcomes in Early Childhood

Over 90% of preterm neonates are, often empirically, exposed to antibiotics as a potentially life-saving measure against sepsis. Long-term outcome in association with antibiotic exposure (NABE) has insufficiently been studied after preterm birth. We investigated the association of NABE-duration with early-childhood developmental and health outcomes in preterm-born children and additionally assessed the impact of GA on outcomes. Preterm children (GA < 30 weeks) participating in a multicenter cohort study were approached for follow-up. General expert-reviewed health questionnaires on respiratory, atopic and gastrointestinal symptoms were sent to parents of children > 24 months’ corrected age (CA). Growth and developmental assessments (Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development (BSID) III) were part of standard care assessment at 24 months’ CA. Uni- and multivariate regressions were performed with NABE (per 5 days) and GA (per week) as independent variables. Odds ratios (OR) for health outcomes were adjusted (aOR) for confounders, where appropriate. Of 1079 infants whose parents were approached, 347 (32%) responded at a mean age of 4.6 years (SD 0.9). In children with NABE (97%), NABE duration decreased by 1.6 days (p < 0.001) per week of gestation. Below-average gross-motor development (BSID-III gross-motor score < 8) was associated with duration of NABE (aOR = 1.28; p = 0.04). The aOR for constipation was 0.81 (p = 0.04) per gestational week. Growth was inversely correlated with GA. Respiratory and atopic symptoms were not associated with NABE, nor GA. We observed that prolonged NABE after preterm birth was associated with below-average gross-motor development at 24 months’ CA, while a low GA was associated with lower weight and stature Z-scores and higher odds for constipation.

A sensor-based ambulatory assessment of gross-motor development in school-children: Influence of age, sex, and anthropometry in the I-MOVE study

A sensor-based ambulatory assessment of gross-motor development in school-children: Influence of age, sex, and anthropometry in the I-MOVE study

Effects of a Whole-Body General Movement Intervention on Motor Performance, Agility, and Locomotor Skills of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder: Results From a Comparison Between Face-to-face and Telehealth-Based Intervention Delivery

Background Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) demonstrate significant motor impairments in visuomotor and body coordination, agility, and strength. Around 87% of children with ASD are at risk for motor impairments. However, only about 31% of these children receive rehabilitation services to address their motor needs. Objective Our randomized clinical trial assessed the effects of a general movement (GM) intervention compared to a standard-of-care seated play (SP) intervention delivered to children via face-to-face (F2F) and telehealth (TH)–based modes of intervention delivery on motor performance, agility, and locomotor skills in children with ASD. Methods Thirty 5- to 14-year-old children were matched on age, gender, and level of functioning and randomly assigned to the GM or SP groups. Children participated in the study for 10 weeks with pretests and posttests conducted during the first and last weeks and training in the interim 8 weeks with 2 sessions conducted per week. The strength and running speed and agility subtests of Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOT-2) and the locomotor subtest of the Test of Gross-motor development (TGMD) were administered at pretest and posttest. In addition, in the GM group, task-specific games involving locomotor skills were assessed during early and late training sessions for changes in movement form or accuracy and the amount of prompting required to complete the actions. Results We found significant improvements in standard scores of the TGMD from pretest to posttest in the GM group (pretest mean 6.1, SE 1.0; posttest mean 8.1, SE 0.9; P<.001) but not the SP group. Within the GM group, there were no significant differences in the rates of improvement for children seen F2F versus via TH (F2F mean 1.8, SE 0.8; TH mean 2.0, SE 1.7; P=.87). On the BOT-2, the GM (pretest mean 36.1, SE 2.6; posttest mean 40.9, SE 3.1; P<.001) but not SP group showed improvements in standard scores on the strength and agility composite. Similar to the trends reported above, there were no differences in the magnitude of improvement for children seen F2F versus via TH (F2F mean 3.7, SD 1.3; TH mean 5.6, SD 1.5; P=.37). On the training-specific test of locomotor skills, children in the GM group improved their movement accuracy (pretest mean 74.4, SE 6.2; posttest mean 86.5, SE 4.7; P<.001) and reduced prompting (pretest mean 22.5, SE 3.5; posttest mean 16.9, SE 4.2; P=.02) required to complete the movements. Both children seen F2F as well as via TH showed similar trends, with no significant differences between the intervention delivery modes. Conclusions Our data suggest that TH is an effective mode of delivery of gross motor interventions and can be used to promote agility and motor coordination in children with ASD. Conflicts of Interest None declared.

Vitamin D supplementation and gross motor development: A 3-year follow-up of a randomized trial

BackgroundVitamin D status during pregnancy, early childhood and season-at-birth are implicated in gross motor development (GMD). AimTo test whether vitamin D intake in infancy and season-at-birth affect GMD in early childhood. Study design3-year follow up study of a single-center trial. SubjectsHealthy infants (n = 116) were allocated to 400 (standard-of-care), 800 or 1200 IU/day of vitamin D3 supplementation from 1 to 12 months; n = 70 returned for follow-up at 3-years. Outcome measuresThe main outcome was GMD using the Peabody Developmental Motor Scales-2 which includes gross motor quotient (GMQ) and stationary, locomotion and object manipulation subtests. ResultsGMQ scores were normal (≥85) in 94 %. An interaction between dosage group and season-at-birth (p = 0.01) was observed for GMQ and stationary standardized score; among winter/spring born children, the 1200 IU/d scored higher vs. 400 and 800 IU/d groups. Object manipulation standardized score was higher (p = 0.04) in children in the 1200 vs. 400 IU/d group, without interaction with season-at-birth. ConclusionsGMD in young children who received 400 IU/d of supplemental vitamin D in infancy is not influenced by season-at-birth. This dose of vitamin D of 400 IU/d as recommended in North America adequately supports GMD. The modest enhancement in GMD with 1200 IU/d in winter/spring born children requires further study.

Test–retest reliability and concurrent validity of the South African Early Learning Outcomes Measure (ELOM)

Background: The Early Learning Outcomes Measure (ELOM) assesses early learning programme outcomes in children aged 50-69 months. ELOM assesses gross motor development (GMD), fine motor coordination and visual motor integration (FMC VMI), emergent numeracy and mathematics (ENM), cognition and executive functioning (CEF), and emergent literacy and language (ELL). Content and construct validity, reliability and cross-cultural fairness have been established.Aim: To establish the test-retest reliability and concurrent validity of the ELOM.Setting: Low income preschool and Grade R children.Methods: In study one, Test-retest reliability was investigated in a convenience sample of 49 English and isiXhosa speaking preschool children (Mean age = 60.77 months, SD = 3.70) tested and retested one week apart. In study two, concurrent validity was investigated in a convenience sample of 62 children (Mean age = 75.05 months, SD = .75). ELOM performance was compared with that on the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence Fourth Edition (WPPSI-IV).Results: Test-retest reliability was established for ELOM Total score (r = .90, p .001). The concurrent validity of ELOM Total and the WPPSI-IV Full Scale Composite scores was established (r = .64, p .001). FMC VMI, CEF, and ELL domains correlated significantly with their corresponding WPPSI-IV indices: visual spatial, fluid reasoning, processing speed, working memory, and verbal comprehension.Conclusion: The findings of both psychometric studies contribute further to the reliability and validity of the ELOM.

Factors associated with gross motor development from birth to independent walking: A systematic review of longitudinal research

AimThe aim of this study is to gain more insight into child and environmental factors that influence gross motor development (GMD) of healthy infants from birth until reaching the milestone of independent walking, based on longitudinal research.BackgroundA systematic search was conducted using Scopus, PsycINFO, MEDLINE and CINAHL to identify studies from inception to February 2020. Studies that investigated the association between child or environmental factors and infant GMD using longitudinal measurements of infant GMD were eligible. Two independent reviewers extracted key information and assessed risk of bias of the selected studies, using the Quality in Prognostic Studies tool (QUIPS). Strength of evidence (strong, moderate, limited, conflicting and no evidence) for the factors identified was described according to a previously established classification.ResultsIn 36 studies, six children and 11 environmental factors were identified. Five studies were categorized as having low risk of bias. Strong evidence was found for the association between birthweight and GMD in healthy full‐term and preterm infants. Moderate evidence was found for associations between gestational age and GMD, and sleeping position and GMD. There was conflicting evidence for associations between twinning and GMD, and breastfeeding and GMD. No evidence was found for an association between maternal postpartum depression and GMD. Evidence for the association of other factors with GMD was classified as ‘limited’ because each of these factors was examined in only one longitudinal study.ConclusionInfant GMD appears associated with two child factors (birthweight and gestational age) and one environmental factor (sleeping position). For the other factors identified in this review, insufficient evidence for an association with GMD was found. For those factors that were examined in only one longitudinal study, and are therefore classified as having limited evidence, more research would be needed to reach a conclusion.

Physical education in school children with partial or complete hearing loss to improve gross motor skill development

The objective was to evaluate the effect of a physical education program in schoolchildren with hearing loss or weakness on gross motor development (GDM). The physical education program was conducted for four months, with sessions five times a week, communicating through Mexican sign language and applying tasks that emphasized motor coordination. Before and after the intervention, gross motor development was assessed with the TGMD-2 test. Inferential statistics with analysis of variance (ANOVA) 2x2 showed double significant interaction between groups and measurements (p=0.05), showing effectiveness in the participating subjects.

Cutaneous Larva Migrans on the Abdomen of a Child with Delayed Gross Motor Development

Cutaneous larva migrans is a tropically acquired parasitic infection caused mostly by the larvae of Ancylostoma braziliense and Ancylostoma caninum. We report a child with an unusual presentation of cutaneous larva migrans infection on her abdominal wall. The reported child with delayed gross-motor development presented to the pediatric clinic with a history of irritable cry and poor sleep for one-month duration. She could only roll-over on cemented floor in her house which had poor infrastructure facilities and also had several pets which frequently entered into the house. Examination revealed linear erythematous lesion on abdominal wall compatible with clinical diagnosis of cutaneous larva migrans. The child responded well to a seven-day course of Albendazole.

Gender differences in developmental delay among of 6-10 years old children

The present study was carried out in two cultural zones (Khadar and Mewat) of Haryana state. Two hundred children in the age group of 6-10 years from two cultural zones were assessed for their developmental level in gross and fine motor, cognitive, language, social and emotional domains. A checklist was prepared to assess developmental level children. Results revealed no significant differences between developmental status of boys and girls for gross-motor (t=2.29), fine-motor (t=0.12), cognitive (0.12), language (t=0.57), social (t=0.48), emotional (t=0.59) and overall development (t=1.51) of boys and girls. From Khadar zone, results depicted that for gross-motor (t=0.19), fine-motor (t=0.00), cognitive (t=0.00), language (t=0.93), social (t=0.29), emotional (t=0.00) and overall development (t=0.48) of boys and girls were not different. Similarly in Mewat cultural zone, results revealed that there was no difference in developmental status of boys and girls with delayed milestones. Independent sample t-values for gross-motor (t=2.89), fine-motor (t=0.17), cognitive (t=0.17), language (t=0.22), social (t=0.44), emotional (t=0.76) and overall development (t=1.73) were not found to be significant.

Influence of the home affordances on motor skills in 3- to 18-month-old Iranian children

ABSTRACT The purpose of the study was to evaluate fine- and gross-motor development and basic cognitive skills in 3–18 month-olds in relation to home factors, age and weight. Three hundred and seventy mother–child dyads were recruited. For age, two groups were analyzed: 3–11 months and 12–18 months. Motor and basic cognitive skills were assessed using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3). Home were evaluated using the Affordance in the Home Environment for Motor Development-Infant Scale (AHEMD-IS). In the 3–11 month old group regarding home factors, ‘daily activity’ predicted fine- and gross-motor skill. Results for the 12–18 month old group were different; gross-motor toys (GMT) and fine-motor toys (FMT) were significant predictors of motor and basic cognitive skills. Our findings suggest that during the first year, parental stimulation was a primary component, whereas toy availability during the second year played an important role in overall developmental status.

Desempenho motor de crianças participantes de atividades esportivas extracurriculares

Estudos recentemente realizados vêm mostrando que a prática esportiva pode melhorar o nível de desempenho motor das crianças. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o desempenho motor de crianças que praticam atividades esportivas em um clube esportivo de Cascavel/PR. Foi utilizado o TGMD-2 (Test of Gross Motor Development) de Ulrich (2000), para analisar o nível de desempenho motor de 26 crianças entre oito e dez anos de idade, praticantes de atividade esportivas em um clube esportivo. Concluiu-se que as crianças que praticam atividades esportivas deste estudo apresentaram resultados abaixo da média no desempenho motor grosso e no controle e objetos e na média para a idade na locomoção.

Balance, Proprioception, and Gross Motor Development of Chinese Children Aged 3 to 6 Years

ABSTRACTThe authors' aim was to find the features of balance, proprioception, and gross motor development of Chinese children 3–6 years old and their correlations, provide theoretical support for promoting children's motor development, and enrich the world theoretical system of motor development. This study used a Tekscan foot pressure measurement instrument (Tekscan, Inc., Boston, MA), walking on a balance beam, Xsens 3-dimensional positional measuring system (Xsens Technologies, Enschede, the Netherlands), and Test of Gross Motor Development-2 to assess static balance, dynamic balance, knee proprioception, and levels of gross motor development (GMD) of 3- to 6-year-old children (n = 60) in Beijing. The results are as follows: children had significant age differences in static balance, dynamic balance, proprioception, and levels of GMD; children had significant gender differences in static balance, proprioception, and levels of GMD; children's static balance, dynamic balance, and proprioception had a very significant positive correlation with GMD (p < .01), but no significant correlation with body mass index.

Association between maternal vitamin D status in pregnancy and neurodevelopmental outcomes in childhood: results from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC)

Seafood intake in pregnancy has been positively associated with childhood cognitive outcomes which could potentially relate to the high vitamin D content of oily fish. However, whether higher maternal vitamin D status (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D)) in pregnancy is associated with a reduced risk of offspring suboptimal neurodevelopmental outcomes is unclear. A total of 7065 mother-child pairs were studied from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children cohort who had data for both serum total 25(OH)D concentration in pregnancy and at least one measure of offspring neurodevelopment (pre-school development at 6-42 months; 'Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire' scores at 7 years; intelligence quotient (IQ) at 8 years; reading ability at 9 years). After adjustment for confounders, children of vitamin D-deficient mothers (<50·0 nmol/l) were more likely to have scores in the lowest quartile for gross-motor development at 30 months (OR 1·20; 95 % CI 1·03, 1·40), fine-motor development at 30 months (OR 1·23; 95 % CI 1·05, 1·44) and social development at 42 months (OR 1·20; 95 % CI 1·01, 1·41) than vitamin D-sufficient mothers (≥50·0 nmol/l). No associations were found with neurodevelopmental outcomes, including IQ, measured at older ages. However, our results suggest that deficient maternal vitamin D status in pregnancy may have adverse effects on some measures of motor and social development in children under 4 years. Prevention of vitamin D deficiency may be important for preventing suboptimal development in the first 4 years of life.

The Effects of Videomodeling on Fundamental Motor Skill Performance of Middle School Children with Intellectual Disabilities

Proficiency in fundamental motor skills (FMS) is important for the health and overall development of children. Using a multiple-baseline-across-participants single-subject design, this study provided preliminary data on the effectiveness of videomodeling (VM) displayed via an iPad on the acquisition and maintenance of the standing long jump (SLJ) by six middle school children with moderate intellectual disabilities (ID). The study also explored whether the participant’s initial gross-motor development and off-task behaviors while watching instructional videos affected the acquisition of SLJ. Results demonstrated an increase in the number of correctly performed SLJ critical elements during the implementation of VM for all participants with higher and one participant with lower initial scores on the Test of Gross Motor Development-2 (TGMD). The increased performance was maintained two weeks after withdrawal of the intervention. The intervention had no effect on the acquisition of SLJ critical elements of two participants with lower TGMD initial scores. Participants who demonstrated off-task behaviors while watching the SLJ video demonstrated lower levels of SLJ acquisition. The preliminary data from this study suggest that the eventual use of VM as an additional and alternate type of instruction can lead to improved acquisition and maintenance of FMS by children with moderate ID.

Dihydropyrimidine Dehydrogenase Deficiency: Metabolic Disease or Biochemical Phenotype?

Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) deficiency is an autosomal recessive disorder of pyrimidine metabolism that impairs the first step of uracil und thymine degradation. The spectrum of clinical presentations in subjects with the full biochemical phenotype of DPD deficiency ranges from asymptomatic individuals to severely affected patients suffering from seizures, microcephaly, muscular hypotonia, developmental delay and eye abnormalities.We report on a boy with intellectual disability, significant impairment of speech development, highly active epileptiform discharges on EEG, microcephaly and impaired gross-motor development. This clinical presentation triggered metabolic workup that demonstrated the biochemical phenotype of DPD deficiency, which was confirmed by enzymatic and molecular genetic studies. The patient proved to be homozygous for a novel c.2059-22T>G mutation which resulted in an in-frame insertion of 21 base pairs (c.2059-21_c.2059-1) of intron 16 of DPYD. Family investigation showed that the asymptomatic father was also homozygous for the same mutation and enzymatic and biochemical findings were similar to his severely affected son. When the child deteriorated clinically, exome sequencing was initiated under the hypothesis that DPD deficiency did not explain the phenotype completely. A deletion of the maternal allele on chromosome 15q11.2-13-1 was identified allowing the diagnosis of Angelman syndrome (AS). This diagnosis explains the patient's clinical presentation sufficiently; the influence of DPD deficiency on the phenotype, however, remains uncertain.

Watch Me Move: A Program For Parents of Young Children With Gross-Motor Delays

ABSTRACTAims: Watch Me Move (WMM) is a 6-week parent education program for caregivers of children with gross-motor delays. The aims are to improve parent-child interaction in a gross-motor context, increase parents' knowledge of behavioral cues and gross-motor development, and decrease perceived parental stress. Methods: Forty mothers of children, 6 months to 3 years of age, with a gross-motor delay participated in a randomized control trial comparing parents who received the WMM program plus standard of care physiotherapy (n = 24) with parents whose children received standard of care physiotherapy (n = 16). Results: Mothers who received the WMM program had significantly higher change scores on two subscales of the Nursing Child Assessment Teaching Scale (NCATS; i.e., cognitive growth fostering, and responsiveness to caregiver) and on the Parent Knowledge Questionnaire assessing knowledge of behavioral cues and gross-motor development. There were no significant group differences on the other four NCATS subscales (i.e., sensitivity to cues, response to child's distress, social emotional growth fostering, and clarity of cues) or the Parenting Stress Index. Conclusions: The addition of WMM to traditional physiotherapy improved aspects of mothers' ability to interact with their children and their knowledge of behavioral cues and gross-motor development.