title: Association between feeding difficulties and language delay in preterm infants using Bayley Scales of Infant Development-Third Edition.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the relationship between abnormal feeding patterns and language performance on the Bayley Scales of Infant Development-Third Edition at 18-22 months adjusted age among a cohort of extremely premature infants.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a descriptive analysis of 1477 preterm infants born ≤ 26 weeks gestation or enrolled in a clinical trial between January 1, 2006 and March 18, 2008 at a National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Neonatal Research Network center who completed the 18-month neurodevelopmental follow-up assessment. At 18-22 months adjusted age, a comprehensive neurodevelopmental evaluation was performed by certified examiners including the Receptive and Expressive Language Subscales of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development-Third Edition and a standardized adjusted age feeding behaviors and nutritional intake. Data were analyzed using bivariate and multilevel linear and logistic regression modeling.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Abnormal feeding behaviors were reported in 193 (13%) of these infants at 18-22 months adjusted age. Abnormal feeding patterns, days of mechanical ventilation, hearing impairment, and Gross Motor Functional Classification System level ≥ 2 each independently predicted lower composite language scores.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  At 18 months adjusted age, premature infants with a history of feeding difficulties are more likely to have language delay. Neuromotor impairment and days of mechanical ventilation are both important risk factors associated with these outcomes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA. iadamsc@emory.edu
authors.forename: Ira
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Adams-Chapman
authors.forename: Carla M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Bann
authors.forename: Yvonne E
authors.initials: YE
authors.lastname: Vaucher
authors.forename: Barbara J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Stoll
mesh_terms: D019959:Feeding and Eating Disorders of Childhood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D062071:Infant, Extremely Premature / Q000523:psychology*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D007805:Language Development Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D007807:Language Tests; D016014:Linear Models; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012307:Risk Factors
keywords: BSID-III; Bayley Scales of Infant Development-Third Edition; ELBW; Extremely low birth weight; GMFCS; Gross Motor Functional Classification System; IVH; Intraventricular hemorrhage; MRI; Magnetic resonance imaging; ND; NEC; NICHD; NRN; National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; Necrotizing enterocolitis; Neonatal Research Network; Neurodevelopmental; PVL; Periventricular leukomalacia