Thi-Nhu-Ngoc Nguyen1,2, Megan Spencer-Smith2, Leona Pascoe1,2, Karli Treyvaud1,3,4,5, Katherine J Lee1,6, Deanne K Thompson1,4,7, Jeanie L Y Cheong1,8,9, Lex W Doyle1,4,5,8, Peter J Anderson1,2. 1. Victorian Infant Brain Studies, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia. 2. School of Psychological Sciences and Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia. 3. School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia. 4. Department of Pediatrics, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia. 5. Newborn Research, The Royal Women's Hospital, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia. 6. Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatics Unit, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia. 7. Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Melbourne, Australia. 8. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia. 9. Neonatal Service, Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne, Australia.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To examine the individual and collective contribution of biological and socioenvironmental factors associated with language function at 2, 5, 7, and 13 years in children born preterm (<30 weeks' gestation or <1250 g birth weight). METHODS: Language function was assessed as part of a prospective longitudinal study of 224 children born preterm at 2, 5, 7, and 13 years using age-appropriate tools. Language Z-scores were generated based on a contemporaneous term-born control group. A selection of biological factors (sex, small for gestational age, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, infection, and qualitatively defined brain injury) and early socioenvironmental factors at age 2 years (primary income earner employment status and type, primary caregiver education level, English as a second language, parental mental health history, parent sensitivity and facilitation, and parent-child synchrony) was chosen a priori. Associations were assessed using univariable and multivariable linear regression models applied to outcomes at each time point. RESULTS: Higher primary caregiver education level, greater parent-child synchrony, and parent sensitivity were independently associated with better language function across childhood. Socioenvironmental factors together explained an increasing percentage of the variance (9%-18%) in language function from 2 to 13 years of age. In comparison, there was little evidence for associations between biological factors and language function, even during early childhood years. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the importance of socioenvironmental factors over biological factors for language development throughout childhood. Some of these socioenvironmental factors are potentially modifiable, and parent-based interventions addressing parenting practices and education may benefit preterm children's language development.
OBJECTIVE: To examine the individual and collective contribution of biological and socioenvironmental factors associated with language function at 2, 5, 7, and 13 years in children born preterm (<30 weeks' gestation or <1250 g birth weight). METHODS: Language function was assessed as part of a prospective longitudinal study of 224 children born preterm at 2, 5, 7, and 13 years using age-appropriate tools. Language Z-scores were generated based on a contemporaneous term-born control group. A selection of biological factors (sex, small for gestational age, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, infection, and qualitatively defined brain injury) and early socioenvironmental factors at age 2 years (primary income earner employment status and type, primary caregiver education level, English as a second language, parental mental health history, parent sensitivity and facilitation, and parent-child synchrony) was chosen a priori. Associations were assessed using univariable and multivariable linear regression models applied to outcomes at each time point. RESULTS: Higher primary caregiver education level, greater parent-child synchrony, and parent sensitivity were independently associated with better language function across childhood. Socioenvironmental factors together explained an increasing percentage of the variance (9%-18%) in language function from 2 to 13 years of age. In comparison, there was little evidence for associations between biological factors and language function, even during early childhood years. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the importance of socioenvironmental factors over biological factors for language development throughout childhood. Some of these socioenvironmental factors are potentially modifiable, and parent-based interventions addressing parenting practices and education may benefit preterm children's language development.
Authors: Michelle Miranda Pereira; Debora Maria Befi-Lopes; Aparecido José Couto Soares; Fernanda Chiarion Sassi; Claudia Regina Furquim de Andrade Journal: J Multidiscip Healthc Date: 2021-06-01
Authors: Jean R Lowe; Lauren Hund; Dominique E Rodriguez; Asma Qamruddin; Lawrence Leeman; Julia M Stephen; Ludmila N Bakhireva Journal: Early Hum Dev Date: 2021-07-04 Impact factor: 2.699