Motor abilities in adults born with very low birthweight: A study of two birth cohorts from Finland and Norway

Aim: To compare overall, fine, and gross motor abilities in adults born preterm with very low birthweight (VLBW) and a control group of term-born individuals. Method: In a joint assessment of the Helsinki Study of Very Low Birth Weight Adults and NTNU Low Birth Weight in a Lifetime Perspective study, data were collected with harmonized methods for 118 adults born preterm (gestational age < 37 weeks) with VLBW (<= 1500 g) and 147 control individuals. The primary outcome was overall motor abilities; secondary outcomes were fine and gross motor abilities. Results: The Bruininks Motor Ability Test Short Form total score was 4.1 (95% confidence interval 2.7-6.0) points lower in adults born with VLBW than in the control group, adjusted for cohort, age, and sex. This was partly mediated by their shorter height. They also had lower scores for other fine and gross motor tests. Results were similar when participants with neurosensory impairment were excluded, and when we adjusted for additional covariates. Interpretation: Adults born preterm with VLBW had poorer overall, fine, and gross motor abilities than adults born at term. This indicates that substantial difficulties in motor function among individuals born preterm with VLBW persist into mid-adulthood.