Abstract
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: The gait pattern of children born very preterm shows gait decrements compared to their full-term peers in dual-task walking. It is essential to identify children at a higher risk for these gait deficits. The aim of this study was to compare spatiotemporal gait variables in preschool-age children born very preterm at risk for developmental coordination disorder (DCD) with those not at risk. METHODS: Preschool-age children born < 30 weeks' gestation. Risk for DCD was defined as (i) ≤16th percentile on the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-Second Edition, (ii) ≥80 on the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-Fourth Edition, and (iii) without cerebral palsy. Spatiotemporal gait variables and variability were assessed using GAITRite(®) during preferred speed, cognitive and motor dual-task, and tandem conditions. Variables included speed (cm/s), step time (s), cadence (steps/min), step length (cm), base of support (BOS; cm), and single and double support time (%gait cycle). RESULTS: Of 111 children who were assessed, 26 children were classified as at risk for DCD. Most gait variables were similar between groups at preferred speed walking. Children at risk for DCD had wider BOS and shorter single support time in motor dual-tasking (mean difference [MD] = 0.86 cm, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.10, 1.61; MD = -1.77%, 95% CI -3.36, -0.19) compared to those not at risk. Similarly, wider BOS and higher cadence were found when tandem walking (MD = 0.63 cm, 95% CI 0.07, 1.20; MD = 0.63 steps/min, 95% CI 0.07, 1.20). CONCLUSIONS: Children born very preterm at risk for DCD had poorer walking performance than those not at risk for DCD at preschool age, especially during dual-task situations. Clinicians may incorporate complex gait assessments into early evaluations to detect subtle impairments in children. Future research is needed to investigate the impact of gait variability on children's daily lives and participation in sports activities.