Motor development in toddlers prenatally exposed to maternal cancer treatment: national cohort study in The Netherlands

A national cohort study in The Netherlands investigated motor development in toddlers prenatally exposed to maternal cancer treatment. The study included 96 children (mean age 19.8 months; mean gestational age 36.8 weeks). Mean Z-scores compared with Dutch norms were -0.38 (95% CI -0.56 to -0.20) for gross motor development and 0.09 (95% CI -0.08 to 0.25) for fine motor development. Delayed gross motor development was observed in 32 children (33%) and delayed fine motor development in 16 children (17%). Regression analysis showed no significant associations between gross motor development and studied prenatal or postnatal factors (gestational age at birth, birthweight, timing of maternal treatment, chemotherapy, and systemic therapy). Fine motor scores were lower in children with lower gestational age at birth and higher postnatal family burden. The authors conclude that at 19 months, one in three children exposed to maternal cancer during pregnancy demonstrated delayed gross motor development.