Language abilities in very preterm and very low birth weight born children: an integrative review

Abstract

Background: Children born very preterm (VPT) and very low weight (VLBW) are at higher risk for neurodevelopmental disorders, including language, even in the absence of major disabilities. Several studies addressed language abilities in children born VPT, however, their findings are contradictory. Aims: To conduct an integrative review to characterize language abilities in children born VPT and VLBW in the domains of semantics, morphosyntax, and phonology.Results: Based on the included studies, expressive morphosyntactic, phonological and expressive and receptive semantics are areas affected by premature birth, leading to poorer outcomes when compared to full-term control groups. Receptive grammar and phonology are not significantly affected by prematurity. Conclusions: Expressive language skills are affected by very premature birth, as well as receptive semantic skills. However, receptive skills in morphosyntax and phonology show decreased skills in these areas but within the typical limits for their age. Future research is needed to further characterize language abilities and to what extent are affected by very premature birth.