Affiliations: Division of Occupation Therapy, College of Health
Professions, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA | Department of Health and Rehabilitation Science,
College of Health Professions, Medical University of South Carolina,
Charleston, SC, USA | Department of Pediatrics, Medical University of South
Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA | Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health
Professions, Louisiana State University, Health Sciences Center, New Orleans,
LA, USA | Department of Radiology and Radiological Sciences,
Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA | Department of Public Health Sciences, Medical
University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA
Note: [] Corresponding author: Patty Coker-Bolt, Medical University of
South Carolina, 151 Rutledge Ave, Building B MSC 962, Charleston, SC, 29425,
USA. Tel.: +1 843 792 7491; Fax: +1 843 792 0710; E-mail: cokerpc@musc.edu
Abstract: PURPOSE: To determine specific motor skills in premature infants,
match those that correlate with standards tests of motor performance, and MRS
measures of abnormal brain biochemistry. METHODS: Prospective cohort study of preterm infants (n=22). Infant
motor assessments were completed at term and 12 weeks corrected gestational age
(CGA) using the Test of Infant Motor Performance (TIMP) and Bayley Scales of
Infant and Toddler Development-III at 12 months CGA. Infants (n=12) received
MRS scans at term CGA. Rasch analysis and MRS findings investigated TIMP items
well targeted to high and low risk infants. RESULTS: A 10 item subset of motor skill items correlated strongly
with full 42-item TIMP at term and 12 week testing (r> 0.90, p< 0.001 for
both), and with Bayley gross motor scores. MRS metabolites in basal ganglia
correlated significantly with both TIMP and 10 item motor tests at term, while
frontal white matter metabolites correlated with TIMP and 10 item tests at 12
weeks and Bayley motor scores. CONCLUSION: A short motor skill assessment may be representative of
a longer standardized test and relate to brain metabolic function in key areas
for motor movement and development. Validation of a shortened assessment may
improve early identification of high-risk preterm infants.
