• Wouter J Harmsen, Femke J Aarsen, van der Cammen-van ZijpMonique H MMHMIntensive Care and Department of Pediatric Surgery, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands., Joost M van Rosmalen, WijnenRene M HRMHIntensive Care and Department of Pediatric Surgery, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands., Dick Tibboel, and Hanneke IJsselstijn.
• Intensive Care and Department of Pediatric Surgery, Erasmus MC-Sophia Children's Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
• Arch. Dis. Child. Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2017 May 1; 102 (3): F214-F219.

ObjectiveTo longitudinally evaluate motor development and predictive factors in school-age children with oesophageal atresia.DesignCohort study with prospective longitudinal follow-up.SettingOutpatient clinic of a tertiary university paediatric hospital.PatientsChildren with oesophageal atresia born between January 1999 and May 2006 were assessed at 5 and 8 years of age.InterventionsNone.Main OutcomeMotor performance was evaluated at 5 and 8 years using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children (M-ABC). Additionally, we evaluated perinatal characteristics, duration of anaesthesia within the first 24 months, socioeconomic status, sports participation and school performance at time of follow-up and intelligence and sustained attention at the age of 8 years.ResultsIn 5-year-olds (n=54), the mean (SD) z-score M-ABC was slightly, but significantly lower than age-predicted normative values (-0.75 (0.83), p<0.001). In 8-year-olds (n=49), the z-score M-ABC was -0.53 (0.91) (p<0.001), intelligence was normal, but sustained attention was impaired: z-score speed (-1.50 (1.73)) and raw score attentional fluctuation (3.99 (1.90)) (both p<0.001). Motor problems mainly concerned gross motor performance. Duration of anaesthesia and sustained attention were negatively associated with motor development; sports participation was positively associated.ConclusionsLonger duration of anaesthesia and sustained attention problems were associated with gross motor problems in school-age patients with oesophageal atresia. Parental awareness of risks for motor problems may provide the opportunity to offer timely intervention.Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/.

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