LANGUAGE AND SPEECH DELAY AT 1, 2, AND 5 YEARS OF AGE IN VERY PRETERM AND VERY LOW BIRTHWEIGHT INFANTS

Abstract

Results of language screening in a nationwide collaborative study of a virtually complete year cohort of 1338 infants with a gestational age <32 weeks or with a birthweight of <1500 grams were reported. At the age of 1 and 2 years the language items derived from the Van Wiechen ncurodevelopmental assessment and at 5 years the VTO-language screening test were used, both validated for the Dutch language. Language delay was recorded in 16%, 23%, and 24% respectively at 1, 2, and 5 years of age (corrected for preterm birth). In a multiple logistic regression analysis a relationship of language delay at 5 years was found with perinatal risk factors: level of parental education, multiple pregnancy, birthweight, male sex, and neurological status at discharge. Both language delay at 1 year and at 2 years were predictors for delay at the age of 5 (OR 2.2 and OR 2.9). Disability not due to language delay at 5 years of age was related to language delay (OR 3.2). Particularly disabilities of mental development and neuromotor function and to a lesser extent disabilities of visual function and hearing loss were involved. At 5 years 12% is already attending special education. As language delay is a strong predictor of school failure in the coming years a considerable increase of this percentage is expected.