Minor neurological dysfunction in children aged 5 to 7

Maja Galić; Aleksandra Mikov; Slobodan Sekulić; Aleksandar Kopitović; Ivana Peričin Starčević

doi:10.2298/VSP160629389G

Maja Galić Preschool Teachers Training College Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia
Aleksandra Mikov Institute for Child and Youth Health Care of Vojvodina, Novi Sad, Serbia
Slobodan Sekulić Clinical Center of Vojvodina, Clinic for Neurology, Novi Sad, Serbia
Aleksandar Kopitović Clinical Center of Vojvodina, Clinic for Neurology, Novi Sad, Serbia
Ivana Peričin Starčević Institute for Child and Youth Health Care of Vojvodina, Novi Sad, Serbia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2298/VSP160629389G

Keywords: neurological manifestations;, risk;, child;, child, preschool;, age factors;, sex factors.

Abstract

Background/Aim. Assessment of minor neurological dysfunction (MND) provides information about a child's neurological condition which helps to identify the vulnerability of the child to the development of motor impairment, difficulties in learning or behavioral disorders. The aim of this study was to determine differences in the prevalence of MND in children from the general population with respect to age (5 and 6 years old) and sex. Methods. The examination was carried out in a preschool institution in the city of Novi Sad, Serbia. The total sample included 120 children divided into two groups according to age: 60 children aged 5 (group A) and 60 children aged 6 years (group B). The children were recruited at three randomly selected kindergartens and approximately equal sex representation, randomly selected as well. The testing was done by the Touwen's test, modified by Hadders-Algra. The results were classified into three groups: the absence of MND, presence of simple MND (presence of one or two domains of dysfunction) and the presence of complex MND (presence of at least three domains of dysfunction). Results. Sixty-seven children out of 120 (55.8%) had a normal neurological condition, while 53 (44.2%) showed MND [49 (40.8%) simple, and 4 (3.4%) complex]. MND occurred more frequently in the youngest age group than in the older children (57% vs. 32%; p = 0.01). MND was also more frequent in boys than in girls, but this difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion. Our results show the importance of testing children at preschool age in order to detect potential neurological vulnerability and timely begin with the appropriate therapy.

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