Concurrent validity and discriminative ability of Dutch performance-based motor tests in 5 to 6 years old children

The Effect of Burns on Children's Growth Trajectory: A Nationwide Cohort Study

This study evaluates the short- and long-term effect of burns on children's height and weight, by comparing their pre and postburn growth trajectory. We invited children (≤17 years old), who sustained a burn requiring surgical treatment or admission at one of the Dutch burn centers in 2013 (n = 175). As well as children who sustained a severe burn, covering >10% of the total body surface area (TBSA), throughout 2009-2018 (n = 228). Data was collected from a survey on health-related topics, Youth Health Care records, and the Dutch Burn Repository R3. For all participants, height and weight were converted to Z-scores using Dutch reference values. Linear mixed modeling, nested on the individual level, was used to examine the associations between burns and children's height and weight Z-scores. Children's height and weight Z-scores remained within the normal range throughout the study period. During the first-year postburn, children's height and weight Z-scores decreased by -0.21 (95% CI -0.41, -0.01) and -0.23 (95% CI -0.46, -0.04), respectively. Beyond the first-year postburn, estimates were consistent with a positive linear association between burn size and the overall effect of burns on participants' height and weight Z-scores. This included a modest, but statistically significant, effect among participants with a burn covering ≤4.5% and >14.0% of the TBSA. Sensitivity analyses did not alter our findings. In conclusion, children were on track or even surpassed their growth potential. Our findings could therefore be considered reassuring to patients, parents, and clinicians.

Criterion Validity and Applicability of Motor Screening Instruments in Children Aged 5-6 Years: A Systematic Review

The detection of motor developmental problems, especially developmental coordination disorder, at age 5-6 contributes to early interventions. Here, we summarize evidence on (1) criterion validity of screening instruments for motor developmental problems at age 5-6, and (2) their applicability. We systematically searched seven databases for studies assessing criterion validity of these screening instruments using the M-ABC as reference standard. We applied COSMIN criteria for systematic reviews of screening instruments to describe the correlation between the tests and the M-ABC. We extracted information on correlation coefficients or area under the receiver operating curve, sensitivity and specificity, and applicability in practice. We included eleven studies, assessing eight instruments: three performance-based tests (MAND, MOT 4-6, BFMT) and five questionnaires (DCD-Q, PQ, ASQ-3, MOQ-T-FI, M-ABC-2-C). The quality of seven studies was fair, one was good, and three were excellent. Seven studies reported low correlation coefficients or AUC (<0.70), four did not report these. Sensitivities ranged from 21-87% and specificities from 50-96%, with the MOT4-6 having the highest sensitivity and specificity. The DCD-Q, PQ, ASQ-3, MOQ-T-FI, and M-ABC-2-C scored highest on applicability. In conclusion, none of the instruments were sufficiently valid for motor screening at age 5-6. More research is needed on screening instruments of motor delay at age 5-6.