Prematurity and speech

Abstract

Very premature infants are at increased risk for brain injury and, as a group, have worse outcomes for intellectual and motor function than term infants. That said, the deficits contributing to poor performance often are multiple and subtle. Some of the deficits may be relatively unique to the preterm population. Northam et al have separately evaluated speech disorders of sound perception and neuromuscular control as distinct from language. They found that a population of preterm infants (mean gestational age of 27.5 weeks) had a high incidence of speech deficits at 16 years of age, which correlated with specific structural brain abnormalities identified by magnetic resonance imaging. This report is an example of the types of sophisticated functional and brain structural assessments that are better describing the effects of prematurity on older children. Article page 402▶ Speech and Oromotor Outcome in Adolescents Born Preterm: Relationship to Motor Tract IntegrityThe Journal of PediatricsVol. 160Issue 3PreviewTo assess speech abilities in adolescents born preterm and investigate whether there is an association between specific speech deficits and brain abnormalities. Full-Text PDF Open Access