Cognitive and language development of healthy preterm infants at 10 years of age.
In this longitudinal study, forty-three Canadian 10-year-olds, 20 born preterm without significant health problems and 23 born at term, were compared. Cognitive development was measured by the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-III. Language development was measured by the Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals-3 (CELF-3) and language used in a 5 minute interview. The children born preterm had subtle delays. They scored significantly lower on Performance IQ and the CELF-3. The subtests on which they had lower scores appear to require visual-spatial skills. Early intervention focusing on parent behaviours that encourage language development and early screening for delays in visual-spatial skills may be useful.
Magill-Evans
Joyce
J
Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Rehabilitation, 2-64 Corbett Hall, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada T6G 2G4. joyce.magill-evans@ualberta.ca
Harrison
Margaret J
MJ
Van der Zalm
Jeanne
J
Holdgrafer
Gary
G
D002648:Child; D003071:Cognition; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007804:Language Development; D008297:Male