Preterm Infants at Higher Risk of Early Language Development Delays

Preterm birth, defined as delivery before 37 weeks of gestation, occurs in roughly 10% of births worldwide. These infants are born with less developed biological systems, which can impact their overall development, including language skills. Research indicates that children born preterm often exhibit lower performance on language assessments during early childhood, such as kindergarten and school age. A key question is whether these language differences are detectable during infancy.

A comprehensive study conducted by researchers at the University of Zurich aimed to explore this issue by analyzing early language skills within the first 18 months of life. Their meta-analysis reviewed 21 studies from nine countries, encompassing more than 1,800 children. The results, published in the journal Pediatrics, showed that preterm infants aged between 3 and 18 months scored lower in both receptive and expressive language compared to full-term peers.

Lead researcher Miriam Löffler noted that these outcomes should be interpreted with caution, as most of the preterm infants studied were born at around 30 weeks of gestation. Since about 75% of preterm births happen later, between 34 and 37 weeks, the findings may vary with a more representative sample. The study also found a correlation between earlier birth and lower birth weight with weaker language performance. This suggests that the severity of prematurity impacts early language development.

The findings emphasize the importance of early detection of potential language delays. Even mild delays in infancy could signal future developmental challenges, underscoring the need for routine monitoring during health checkups, particularly for preterm infants. Early intervention can help address these delays and support optimal development.

Parents play a crucial role in fostering their child's language skills. Engaging in frequent conversations, responding to their sounds, and reading books together from a young age can lay a strong foundation for language development. If concerns arise, consulting with pediatricians or speech-language specialists early can make a significant difference.

Overall, understanding that preterm infants may experience early language delays highlights the importance of proactive monitoring and support to promote healthy developmental outcomes.

For more details, see the study: Miriam T. Loeffler et al., "Early Expressive and Receptive Language Development in Preterm vs. Full-Term Children: A Meta-Analysis," Pediatrics (2025). Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-07-preterm-infants-delayed-language.html.