Prevalence of Language Delay among Healthy Preterm Children, Language Outcomes and Predictive Factors

Bibliographic Data

ID15714828
AuthorsMiguel Pérez Pereira (0000-0001-8679-6027, Universidade de Santiago de Compostela, corresponding author)
Year2021
Volume8
Issue4
Pages282-282
Publication date2021-04-06
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueChildren (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2227-9067 • E-ISSN: 2227-9067
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/children8040282
PMID33917554
OpenAlexW3147150432
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited60

Language delay (LD) and its relationship with later language impairment in preterm children is a topic of major concern. Previous studies comparing LD in preterm (PT) and full-term (FT) children were mainly carried out with samples of extremely preterm and very preterm children (sometimes with additional medical problems). Very few of them were longitudinal studies, which is essential to understand developmental relationships between LD and later language impairment. In this study, we compare the prevalence of LD in low-risk preterm children to that of FT children in a longitudinal design ranging from 10 to 60 months of age. We also analyze which variables are related to a higher risk of LD at 22, 30 and 60 months of age. Different language tests were administered to three groups of preterm children of different gestational ages and to one group of full-term children from the ages of 10 to 60 months. ANOVA comparisons between groups and logistic regression analyses to identify possible predictors of language delay at 22, 30 and 60 months of age were performed. The results found indicate that there were practically no differences between gestational age groups. Healthy PT children, therefore, do not have, in general terms, a higher risk of language delay than FT children. Previous language delay and cognitive delay are the strongest and longest-lasting predictors of later language impairment. Other factors, such as a scarce use of gestures at 10 months or male gender, affect early LD at 22 months of age, although their effect disappears as children grow older. Low maternal education appears to have a late effect. Gestational age does not have any significant effect on the appearance of LD

Affect (linguistics · Developmental psychology · Full Term · Gestational age · Language delay · Language development · Language impairment · Logistic regression · Longitudinal study · Pregnancy · Demography · Family and Disability Support Research · Infant Development and Preterm Care · Language Development and Disorders · Medicine · Psychology · Internal Medicine · Pediatrics

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