Risk of DCD and behavioural problems in preterm children aged 5 to 10 years

Introduction Preterm birth is a primary risk factor for developmental coordination disorder (DCD). Although neurodevelopmental follow-up has expanded in recent years, motor coordination and behavioural difficulties in preterm children often remain underestimated. This study compared motor and behavioural characteristics of preterm and term-born children aged 5–10 years and examined perinatal and environmental predictors of DCD risk. Methods The sample included 111 preterm and 79 term-born children. Parents completed the Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire – Italian version (DCDQ-IT), the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 Check-List (MABC-2- CL), and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Perinatal and sociodemographic variables were analysed using Poisson regression models. Results Preterm children showed lower DCDQ-IT total scores (p < 0.05) and, compared with termborn peers, a higher frequency of fine motor difficulties (30.6% vs 13.9%, p = 0.008), as well as higher MABC-2-CL total scores (p = 0.005). They also had higher SDQ scores for emotional symptoms (p = 0.047), hyperactivity/ inattention (p = 0.022), and peer problems (p < 0.001), with a greater proportion of children falling in the clinical range for peer problems (35.2% vs 11.4%). Higher maternal age (IRR = 1.14, p < 0.001) and respiratory distress syndrome (IRR = 5.27, p = 0.03) were associated with a greater risk of DCD, whereas higher socioeconomic status was protective (IRR = 0.15–0.24, p < 0.001). Conclusions Preterm children show a higher risk of DCD, particularly affecting fine motor skills, together with more behavioural difficulties. Perinatal factors, especially maternal age and early respiratory complications, contribute to individual vulnerability profiles. These findings support systematic monitoring of motor and behavioural development in preterm children from early school age.