Abstract
To identify risk and protective factors for late talking in toddlers between 24 and 30months of age in a large community-based cohort. A prospective, longitudinal pregnancy cohort of 1023 mother-infant pairs in metropolitan Calgary, Canada, were followed across 5 time points: before 25weeks gestation, between 34-36weeks gestation, and at 4, 12, and 24months postpartum. Toddlers who scored ≤10th percentile on The MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventories: Words and Sentences between 24 and 30months of age were identified as late talkers. Thirty-four candidate characteristics theoretically and/or empirically linked to language development and/or language impairment were collected using survey methodology. The prevalence of late talking was 12.6%. Risk factors for late talking in the multivariable model included: male sex (P=.017) and a family history of late talking and/or diagnosed speech or language delay (P=.002). Toddlers were significantly less likely to be late talkers if they engaged in informal play opportunities (P=.013), were read to or shown picture books daily (P<.001), or cared for primarily in child care centers (P=.001). Both biological and environmental factors were associated with the development of late talking. Biological factors placed toddlers at risk for late talking, and facets of the environment played a protective role. Enveloping infants and toddlers in language-rich milieus that promote opportunities for playing, reading, and sharing books daily may decrease risk for delayed early vocabulary.
Highlights
Toddlers were significantly less likely to be late talkers if they engaged in informal play opportunities (P = .013), were read to or shown picture books daily (P < .001), or cared for primarily in child care centers (P = .001)
A total of 12.6% (129 of 1023; [95% CI 10.6, 14.8]) of toddlers were identified as late talkers
Variables considered eligible for entry into the multivariable model were mother’s physical health (P = .152), child’s sex (P = .018), ear infections (P = .113), family history of late talking and/or diagnosed speech or language delay (P < .000), childcare arrangements (P = .011), reading or sharing books with baby daily (P = .001), television habits (P = .046), use of formal community resources (P = .041), participation in informal play opportunities (P = .008), and preterm birth (P = .283)
Summary
To identify risk and protective factors for late talking in toddlers between 24 and 30 months of age in a large community-based cohort. Study design A prospective, longitudinal pregnancy cohort of 1023 mother-infant pairs in metropolitan Calgary, Canada, were followed across 5 time points: before 25 weeks gestation, between 34-36 weeks gestation, and at 4, 12, and 24 months postpartum. Toddlers who scored #10th percentile on The MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventories: Words and Sentences between 24 and 30 months of age were identified as late talkers. Thirty-four candidate characteristics theoretically and/or empirically linked to language development and/or language impairment were collected using survey methodology
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
