Purpose:
To examine the language development at chronological age 2 to 3 years of children born preterm with low birth weight and its associated risk factors.
Methods
In this cross-sectional study, children were assessed using the Denver Developmental Screening Test (Denver II test) and Early Language Milestone Scale (ELM scale). The chi-square test was used and all variables with p<0.20 were entered in a binary logistic regression model; statistical significance was set at p<0.05.
Results
Among the 77 children studied, 36.4% had abnormal Denver II test performance in its four sectors and 37.6% had cautions and delays in the area of language specifically. On assessment of language ability by the ELM scale, 32.5% of the children showed altered responses. The abnormal performance of the four sectors of the Denver II and language in the ELM scale, after logistic regression, remained associated with suspected developmental abnormalities by parents (Denver II and ELM), weight less than 1500 g and caesarean section (Denver II only), and intracranial hemorrhage and family per capita income less than half the minimum wage (ELM only).
Conclusion
Children born preterm with low birth weight showed delayed language development, with greater impairment in the expressive auditory function associated with socioeconomic risk factors and child’s history.
Infant, premature; Infant, newborn; Risk factors; Language development; Screening
