Physical fitness of non-disabled school-aged children born with extremely low birth weights.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The assessment of long-term outcomes in survivors born with extremely low birth weights (ELBWs) has become increasingly important. However, little has been reported on the physical fitness of non-disabled school-aged children born with ELBWs. AIMS: To assess the physical fitness of non-disabled school-aged children born with ELBWs. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SUBJECTS: We analyzed 169 ELBW infants without cerebral palsy or intellectual disability (based on the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Third Edition (WISC-III) Full Scale intelligence quotient (IQ) test < 70). OUTCOME MEASURES: Physical fitness was assessed using the grip strength, sit-up repetitions, sit & reach, side steps, standing long jump, and softball throw tests. T-scores were calculated using national survey data. RESULTS: The T-scores for the grip strength, sit-up repetitions, sit & reach, side steps, standing long jump, softball throw tests, and the overall T-score were 43.7 ±â€¯7.5, 44.2 ±â€¯10.5, 46.0 ±â€¯9.7, 40.9 ±â€¯8.0, 40.0 ±â€¯9.8, 42.4 ±â€¯8.1, and 42.9 ±â€¯5.5, respectively. After adjusting for other age-related factors, the height (SD score), WISC-III Performance IQ score, and percent predicted forced vital capacity (FVC) independently predicted the overall T-scores. Their standardized partial regression coefficients (ß) were 0.334 (p = 0.009), 0.190 (p = 0.022), and 0.187 (p = 0.032), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our cohort's physical fitness at approximately 8 years of age was significantly impaired compared to average Japanese children of the same age. Height, FVC, and Performance IQ independently predicted physical fitness, with height being the strongest predictor.