DCD is associated with male prevalence and which perinatal factor?

• A. High birth weight
• B. Low birth weight and prematurity
• C. Maternal diabetes
• D. Postnatal infections

Answer: (B)

DCD is a motor coordination disorder that tends to occur more often in boys and is linked to early brain development factors. The strongest perinatal association is with low birth weight and prematurity, because these conditions signal immature or stressed brain development that can affect the neural circuits controlling movement. Premature birth and restricted fetal growth are indicators of vulnerability in white matter development and motor pathway maturation, which can manifest as persistent coordination challenges seen in DCD.

High birth weight isn’t typically a risk factor for DCD, and maternal diabetes, while linked to various neonatal issues, is not the classic perinatal predictor for this coordination disorder. Postnatal infections can impact development in some contexts but don’t have as consistent a link to DCD as prematurity and low birth weight.