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Cognitive Development, Temperament and Behavior at 2 Years as Indicative of Language Development at 4 Years in Pre-Term Infants

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Abstract

This study focuses on the early temperamental (TTQ = toddler temperament questionnaire), behavioral (IBR = infant behavior record), and cognitive precursors of impaired language functioning in preschool-age pre-terms infants. The study group consisted of 63 pre-term infants with a mean birth weight of 1246 ± 437 g born in 1989–1991 in the University Central Hospital of Helsinki. Children with major disabilities (CP or mental retardation) were excluded. At the age of 4 years, 22% showed impaired language function. Logistic regression analysis showed that the Bayley MDI score was the best predictor in identifying an increased risk for language impairment. Behavioral characteristics were more strongly associated with subsequent language impairment than temperament.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Helsinki University Hospital for Children and Adolescent Neurology, Lastenlinnantie 2, 00250, Helsinki, Finland

    Nina Sajaniemi

  2. University of Helsinki, Finland

    Liisa Hakamies-Blomqvist & Hannu Rita

  3. Child Psychiatry, Helsinki, Finland

    Jukka Mäkelä

  4. Helsinki University Hospital for Children and Adolescents, Finland

    Anne Avellan & Lennart von Wendt

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  1. Nina Sajaniemi
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  2. Liisa Hakamies-Blomqvist
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Sajaniemi, N., Hakamies-Blomqvist, L., Mäkelä, J. et al. Cognitive Development, Temperament and Behavior at 2 Years as Indicative of Language Development at 4 Years in Pre-Term Infants. Child Psychiatry Hum Dev 31, 329–346 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1010238523628

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