Abstract
Background: Dysfunctions in dorsal-stream visuospatial attention and motion processing are important mediating factors for adverse visual-sensory and cognitive development in children born preterm. In this longitudinal study, we quantitatively followed visuospatial attention and motion performance from 1-year to 2-years corrected age (CA) in children born very or extremely preterm, and investigated associations with neurodevelopmental outcome at 2y CA. Method: 147 children born < 32 weeks of gestation participated in a nonverbal visuospatial attention and motion processing task at 1y CA. 49 children repeated the task at 2y CA and underwent neuro-developmental testing (BSID-III). Reflexive orienting behavior to salient cartoons (general attention) and motion stimuli was measured with a 4-AFC paradigm presented on a remote eye tracker (Tobii T60XL or X3). Visuo-spatial performance was quantified by average reaction times (RT) and RT variability, and classified as normal or delayed based on normative references. Results: From 1y to 2y, visuospatial attention and motion RTs became significantly faster (−39 ms and −152 ms) and less variable. Compared to norm values, delayed RTs were found in 10–23% of preterm children at 1y CA and in 20–35% at 2y CA. Slower attention and motion RTs at 1y CA were significantly associated with lower cognitive BSID scores at 2y (r=−.53 and r=−.49), and slower motion RTs with lower motor BSID scores (r=−.31) at 2y CA. At 2y, slower attention RTs were associated with lower fine motor scores (r=−.51). Conclusion: The current longitudinal results suggest that, although overall visuospatial performance from 1y to 2y improved in preterm children, their risk of visuospatial attention and motion processing problems persisted compared to term-born children. The substantial number of children with delayed visuospatial performance at 2y CA, and the association with adverse cognitive and motor developmental outcome at 2y, calls for monitoring and support of visuospatial functions early in life.