RESULTS : Preterm-born children scored significantly lower compared with term-born children on simple ( d = –0.45 [ 95 % CI : –0.59 to –0.30 ] ; P < .001 ) and on complex ( d = –0.62 [ 95 % CI : –0.82 to –0.43 ] ; P < .001 ) language function tests , even in the absence of major disabilities and independent of social economic status .
: While growing up , preterm-born children have increasing difficulties with complex language function
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE : Preterm-born children ( < 37 weeks ’ gestation ) have higher rates of language function problems compared with term-born children .
It is unknown whether these problems decrease , deteriorate , or remain stable over time .
The goal of this research was to determine the developmental course of language functions in preterm-born children from 3 to 12 years of age .
Trajectories of Receptive Language Development From 3 to 12 Years of Age for Very Preterm Children
OBJECTIVES : The goal was to examine whether indomethacin use , gender , neonatal , and sociodemographic factors predict patterns of receptive language development from 3 to 12 years of age in preterm children . METHODS : A total of 355 children born in 1989–1992 with birth weights of 600 to 1250 g were evaluated at 3 , 4.5 , 6 , 8 , and 12 years with the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Revised  . Hierarchical growth modeling was used to explore differences in language trajectories . RESULTS : From 3 to 12 years , preterm children displayed catch-up gains on the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Revised . Preterm children started with an average st and ardized score of 84.1 at 3 years and gained 1.2 points per year across the age period studied . Growth-curve analyses of Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Revised raw scores revealed an indomethacin-gender effect on initial scores at 3 years , with preterm boys assigned r and omly to receive indomethacin scoring , on average , 4.2 points higher than placebo-treated boys . However , the velocity of receptive vocabulary development from 3 to 12 years did not differ for the treatment groups . Children with severe brain injury demonstrated slower gains in skills over time , compared with those who did not suffer severe brain injury . Significant differences in language trajectories were predicted by maternal education and minority status . CONCLUSION : Although indomethacin yielded an initial benefit for preterm boys , this intervention did not alter the developmental trajectory of receptive language scores . Severe brain injury leads to long-term sequelae in language development , whereas a socioeconomically advantaged environment supports better language development among preterm children
RESULTS : Preterm-born children scored significantly lower compared with term-born children on simple ( d = –0.45 [ 95 % CI : –0.59 to –0.30 ] ; P < .001 ) and on complex ( d = –0.62 [ 95 % CI : –0.82 to –0.43 ] ; P < .001 ) language function tests , even in the absence of major disabilities and independent of social economic status .
: While growing up , preterm-born children have increasing difficulties with complex language function
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE : Preterm-born children ( < 37 weeks ’ gestation ) have higher rates of language function problems compared with term-born children .
It is unknown whether these problems decrease , deteriorate , or remain stable over time .
The goal of this research was to determine the developmental course of language functions in preterm-born children from 3 to 12 years of age .