The interrelationships between developmental domains in 3- to 6-year-olds with fine and gross motor developmental risks—results of a prospective dynamic cohort study

BACKGROUND: Motor skills of school-age children have an impact on learning, school results, and leading a healthy life. However, prevalence rates of motor developmental delays are increasing. Still there is a lack of understanding interrelationships between developmental domains of preschool aged children. METHODS: We used data from the project "GIF MV", a prospective dynamic cohort study. In this study, cross sectional data was used from the survey year 2023. To detect developmental delays of pre-schoolers a standardized, objective and valid screening method was used ("Dortmund Developmental Screening for Preschools-Revision (DESK 3-6 R)"). We determined associated variables for fine and gross motor developmental risks in preschoolers using Generalized Linear Mixed Models (n = 7,542 children). RESULTS: Fine motor risks were observed in 16.8% of the children (gross motor risks: 12.2%). A gross motor developmental risk was strongest associated with a fine motor developmental risk (and vice versa). Nevertheless, gender and almost all other developmental domains are statistically significantly associated with motor developmental risks, e.g., with developmental risks in the DESK domains "Basic competencies in mathematics" (OR: 4.34, 95% CI: 2.03; 9.27) and "Attention and concentration" (OR: 3.77, 95% CI: 1.8; 7.91). CONCLUSION: Since analysis on variables revealed statistically significant associations between motor risks and risks in the remaining developmental domains and gender, activities designed to promote motor skills should include more than just motor developmental domains. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was retrospectively registered on 29 October 2018 in the German Clinical Trial Register (ID: DRKS00015134).