Minor neurological dysfunction in children with developmental coordination disorder

AIM: To provide insight into the prevalence and types of minor neurological dysfunction (MND) in subtypes of children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) and in relation to behavioural-emotional problems. METHOD: A retrospective medical record study was conducted. All children completed the Movement Assessment Battery for Children, Second Edition and neurological functioning was assessed with a neurological examination focusing on MND. Data of children with DCD were compared to data of a reference group of children who received mainstream education (case-control study). Behavioural-emotional problems were assessed with the Child Behavior Checklist and the Teacher Report Form. RESULTS: Eighty-eight children clinically diagnosed with DCD (74 male, 14 female, mean age 7 years 7 months, SD 1 years 6 months) were included. Prevalence of MND was 97% in children with DCD (simple MND [1 or 2 dysfunctional domains]: 36%; complex MND [> 2 dysfunctional domains]: 61%), and the prevalence of dysfunctions in the domains of posture and muscle tone regulation, coordination and balance, fine manipulation, and associated movements was higher than children in the reference group. The prevalence of simple and complex MND did not differ across subtypes of DCD. Behavioural-emotional problems did not differ between children with simple and complex MND. INTERPRETATION: The high prevalence of MND highlights the importance of a neurological examination in DCD to provide insight into underlying dysfunctional neural circuits.