Language development in preterm infants and children

The impact of preterm birth on language development has recently become a focus of interest. Preterm birth occurs in a critical period for the development of the neural system, shaped by multiple biological and environmental interacting constraints, and may impact cortical development, neuropsychological functions, and behavior. Concerning language development of preterm children, several findings are available on lexicon and grammar, while other components, such as phonology, phonological awareness, discourse and pragmatics, as well as the early precursors of language, have been less investigated. Delays in phonological production, gesture development and gesture-word combinations have been shown in the second year of life. Studies examining the development of lexicon and grammar have shown that very preterm children exhibit a heightened and increasing risk for language impairment in the preschool years. Language development of very preterm children continues to be delayed at school age and is strictly associated to literacy (acquisition of reading and writing). Neuropsychological follow-up programs to monitor development in preterm children from infancy to school age allow practitioners to identify delayed children early on and support them and their families with psychological, speech and educational interventions.