Developmental coordination disorder in preterm children: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

This study aimed to review the prevalence of developmental coordination disorder (DCD) in individuals born preterm and systematically explore this prevalence according to gestational age and different assessment cut‐offs and compare it to full‐term peers. The eligibility criteria were observational and experimental studies reporting the prevalence of DCD in preterm individuals. A systematic search was performed in databases from inception until March 2022. Two independent reviewers performed the selection. Study quality assessment was performed using the checklists from Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI). Data analysis was performed on Excel and Review Manager Software 5.4. Among the 1774 studies identified, 32 matched the eligibility criteria. The pooled estimate rate of the DCD rate in preterm was 21% (95% confidence interval [CI] 17.8–24.3). The estimate rates were higher as gestational age decreased, and preterm children are two times more likely to have DCD than their full‐term peers risk ratio (RR) 2.2 (95% CI 1.77–2.79). The limitation was high heterogeneity between studies; the assessment tools, cut‐off points and age at assessment were diverse. This study provided evidence that preterm children are at higher risk for DCD than full‐term children, and the risks increased as gestational age decreased. This is the first meta‐analysis exploring developmental coordination disorder (DCD) in different gestational age groups. The prevalence of DCD in preterm children is 21%, and preterm children are at 2.2 times more risk to DCD compared with full‐term peers. The prevalence and risk of DCD increase as gestational age decreases.