Early development of gestures and its association with later cognitive development in prematurely born very preterm and/or very low-birth-weight children

Authors

• Hannele Asumaniemi University of Oulu and Coronaria Kuntoutuspalvelut
• Petriina Munck Turku University hospital and University of Helsinki
• Helena Lapinleimu Turku University hospital and University of Turku
• Suvi Stolt University of Helsinki

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23997/pk.75365

Keywords:

cognitive development, development of gestures, prematurely born, very-low-birth-weight, very preterm

Abstract

The development of early gestures in very preterm/very-low-birth-weight children (VP/
VLBW; born < 32 gestational age and/or birth weight ≤ 1500g) has not been studied
intensively. The studies on the possible association between early gestures and later cognitive
development in this group of children are missing, although this information would be
clinically relevant. This study analyzed the development of gestures at 1;0 (corrected age), and
the association between early gestures and cognitive skills at 2;0 (corrected age) in a group of
57 VP/VLBW children. The data on gestures was gathered using the Finnish version of the
MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventory (FinCDI). The cognitive skills
of the children were assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development
3rd edition (Bayley-III), Cognitive score. The mean value of the total gestures summary
score of the FinCDI was lower than the one in the norming study of the FinCDI. Cognitive
development of the VP/VLBW children, when measured at group level, was age appropriate.
Early development of gestures correlated significantly and positively with later cognitive
skills. This information can be used when identifying those children who need follow-up
already at an early age.