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| Author | Francianne Cini |
| Abstract | Since several research studies have shown that preemies are at risk for developmental delay, this study was designed to test this assertion by comparing the fine motor skills of 4-year-old preterm (28 - 32 weeks of gestation) and full-term (39 - 40 weeks) children (N = 26). Apart from investigating whether the fine motor performance scores of the preterm subjects (n = 13) differ from those born at term (n = 13), this research study further investigated the performance of preemies by examining associations between the fine motor scores and the degree of prematurity, birth weight and length of hospital stays. A quantitative correlational design was utilised in which the fine motor scale of the PDMS-2 was administered to all subjects. Data analysis revealed remarkable findings. Although according to the PDMS-2 scoring criteria, the preemies tested scored within the average ranges, significant discrepancies between the scores of the preterm and full-term children were revealed. Cultural differences between the PDMS-2 normative sample and Maltese children might have contributed to this ambiguity in scores. The degree of prematurity, length of hospital stay as well as birth weight, were associated with the fine motor scores. However, the birth weight seemed to be the best predictor. This study concluded that the Maltese paediatric Occupational Therapy Department should expand its services to address the needs of preterm children born before 32 weeks of gestational age as well as other low birth weight children. |
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| Journal | B.Sc. (Honours) Occupational Therapy, University of Malta |
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| Pages | - |
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| Key words | occupational therapy, preterm, full term, fine motor skills, pre-grade, children, paediatrics |