• Early Expressive and Receptive...

Treffer: Early Expressive and Receptive Language Development in Preterm vs Full-Term Children: A Meta-Analysis.

Title:
Early Expressive and Receptive Language Development in Preterm vs Full-Term Children: A Meta-Analysis.
Authors:
Loeffler MT; Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.; Jacobs Center for Productive Youth Development, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland., Daikeler J; GESIS-Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences, Mannheim, Germany., Wagner L; Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.; Jacobs Center for Productive Youth Development, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland., Natalucci G; Larsson-Rosenquist Foundation Center for Neurodevelopment, Growth and Nutrition of the Newborn, Department of Neonatology, University of Zurich and University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland., Daum MM; Department of Psychology, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.; Jacobs Center for Productive Youth Development, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.
Source:
Pediatrics [Pediatrics] 2025 Aug 01; Vol. 156 (2).
Publication Type:
Comparative Study; Journal Article; Meta-Analysis
Language:
English
Journal Info:
Publisher: American Academy of Pediatrics Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 0376422 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 1098-4275 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 00314005 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Pediatrics Subsets: MEDLINE
Imprint Name(s):
Publication: Elk Grove Village Il : American Academy of Pediatrics
Original Publication: Springfield, Ill., Thomas.
MeSH Terms:
Infant, Premature*/psychology , Language Development*, Child, Preschool ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Language Development Disorders
Entry Date(s):
Date Created: 20250722 Date Completed: 20250731 Latest Revision: 20250805
Update Code:
20250806
DOI:
10.1542/peds.2024-070477
PMID:
40695475
Database:
MEDLINE

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Context: Although studies suggest that preterm children are more likely to develop speech or language disorders later in life, language differences between preterm and full-term children in early childhood are not fully understood.
Objective: To investigate the early development of receptive and expressive language in preterm children compared with full-term children by conducting a meta-analysis.
Data Sources: Scopus, Web of Science, and EBSCO were searched in January 2024.
Study Selection: Studies reporting receptive and/or expressive language using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, version 3 or 4, or vocabulary comprehension and/or production using the MacArthur-Bates Communicative Development Inventory. Studies comparing preterm and full-term children in the first 18 months of corrected age.
Data Extraction: Study outcomes were transformed into Hedges g and synthesized using robust variance estimation. Risk of bias was assessed by visual inspection of funnel plots and Egger's regression test.
Results: Of 9464 records, a total of 34 studies using 21 individual datasets were eligible (N = 1825). Results indicate that preterm children score lower in receptive (g = -0.40; 95% CI, -0.60 to -0.19) and expressive (g = -0.44; 95% CI, -0.63 to -0.25) language. For receptive language, the difference increases with age and was higher for preterm children with lower gestational age and birth weight.
Limitations: Only published studies and only English publications.
Conclusion: When in infancy and toddlerhood, preterm children score lower in receptive and expressive language. The results highlight the importance of early identification and intervention, especially for preterm children.
(Copyright © 2025 by the American Academy of Pediatrics.)