title: The prevalence and predictive value of weak language skills in children with  very low birth weight--a longitudinal study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Previous findings regarding the prevalence and predictive value of weak language skills in preterm children with very low birth weight (VLBW) are unclear. This study analysed the prevalence of weak language skills, the predictive value of early weak language skills on later weak language skills, and the sensitivity and specificity of cognitive scores for identifying concurrent weak language skills in a longitudinal sample of VLBW children (n = 141) and their full-term controls (n = 146).
  
  
  METHODS
  Data on language skills and cognitive development were gathered at two and five years of age. Weak language skills were defined by the 10th percentile value of the controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In VLBW children, the prevalence of weak language skills varied between 16% and 18% at 2 years of age (controls: 8 to 10%) and between 20% and 27% at 5 years of age (controls: 10%). Early weak language skills predicted later weak language skills in VLBW children. Cognitive scores were specific, but their sensitivity for identifying concurrent weak language skills was low.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of weak language skills in VLBW children increased during the follow-up period and was higher than the controls. Language-sensitive methods should be used in the clinical follow-up of VLBW children.
authors.forename: Suvi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stolt
authors.forename: Jaakko
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Matomaki
authors.forename: Annika
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lind
authors.forename: Helena
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lapinleimu
authors.forename: Leena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Haataja
authors.forename: Liisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Lehtonen
mesh_terms: D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003071:Cognition; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D019102:Infant, Very Low Birth Weight; D007804:Language Development; D007805:Language Development Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D015995:Prevalence; D013997:Time Factors