The impact of neonatal complications on motor function outcome in children born with asymmetric intrauterine growth retardation

Abstract

The aim of this study was to estimate the impact of neonatal complications on motor outcome in children born with asymmetric intrauterine growth retardation. Study subjects were born at term with birth weight below the 10th percentile for gestational age, parity and gender, mean age six years and four months. They were divided into two groups: group 1 with associated neonatal complications (30 children) and group 2 without such complications (20 children). Group 3 included 50 children matched for chronologic and gestational age, gender and maternal education (control group). Exclusion criteria were central nervous system infections, chromosomopathies, congenital infections, major malformations, severe asphyxia and presence of recognizable genetic syndromes. Touwen neurologic examination was performed for assessment of motor function. Children with neonatal complications had lower results (p<0.05) in coordination and visual function compared to intrauterine growth retardation children without neonatal complications. There were also marginally signifi cant diff erences for posture and fi ne motor skills. In conclusion, intrauterine growth retardation has negative eff ect on neurologic development with a synergistic infl uence of neonatal complications. Neonatal complications correlated negatively with some motor functions. These diffi culties could have negative impact on school performance, so it is important to monitor development of intrauterine growth retardation children and enable early therapeutic intervention if necessary.