Epidemiological investigation of preschool children with developmental coordination disorder in Yangzhou City

Objective To analyze the developing level of developmental coordination disorder (DCD) in preschool children in Yangzhou, so as to provide a theoretical basis for early prevention, diagnosis and intervention of DCD. Methods 1 454 children aged from 3 to 7 years in three kindergartens of Yangzhou were recruited to the movement assessment battery for children test (M-ABC) by random. Developmental screen test(DST)and the Wechsler preschool and primary scale of intelligence (WPPSI) were used to exclude the mentally retarded (MR) children. DCD was diagnosed using the diagnostic and statistical manual of mental Disorders-IV (DSM-IV). Results The survey found that 5.2% children suffered from DCD, 12.0% children were suspicious with it. The incidences of DCD in boys and suspected case (7.3% and 14.0%) were higher than those in girls (2.7% and 9.7%), which were different in manual dexterity and dynamic equilibrium (all P<0.001). The incidences of children with DCD and suspected case varied in different aged children (χ²=18.502,P=0.005), from 4-group, 6-7 group, 5-group and 3-group by descending. M-ABC scores were different in manual dexterity and target grip (all P<0.001). Conclusions The prevalence of DCD in preschool children in Yangzhou was not optimistic, the capacities of manual dexterity and target grip were developed retardation relatively. The training should be strengthened to improve the movement coordination of children, depending on the features of coordination in different genders and ages.