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ERIC Number: EJ894497
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2010-Sep
Pages: 6
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0012-1622
EISSN: N/A
Early Childhood Stunting and Later Fine Motor Abilities
Chang, Susan M.; Walker, Susan P.; Grantham-McGregor, Sally; Powell, Christine A.
Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, v52 n9 p831-836 Sep 2010
Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of early childhood stunting (height for age 2SD or more below reference values) and interventions on fine motor abilities at 11 to 12 years, and the relationship between fine motor abilities and school achievement and intelligence. Method: A cohort of stunted children who had participated in a randomized trial of psychosocial stimulation and/or nutritional supplementation in early childhood was compared with a group of non-stunted children. Fine motor abilities were assessed in 116 stunted (67 males, 49 females) and 80 non-stunted children (43 males, 37 females) at a mean age of 11 years 8 months (SD 4.3mo) and 11 years 9 months (SD 3.8mo) respectively. Testers were blind to the children's group assignment. Results: Two fine motor factors were derived: rapid sequential continuous movements (RSCM) and dexterity. No effect of the early intervention was found. RSCM scores were lower in the stunted group than in the non-stunted group (p = 0.01), but differences in dexterity were not significant (p = 0.18) after adjusting for social background. Among stunted children, the RSCM score was significantly associated with IQ (p = 0.04) and school achievement (all p less than 0.05). Interpretation: Stunting in early childhood is associated with poor scores on tests of rapid sequential continuous hand movements in later childhood. Children with poorer scores are at greater risk for low IQs and low levels of school achievement.
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A