The development of receptive lexicon at 1;0 and its association to cognitive development at 2;0 in very preterm or very-low-birth-weight children

Authors

• Pauliina Alatalo University of Oulu and HABS kuntoutus rehabilitering Oy
• Petriina Munck Turku University hospital and University of Helsinki
• Helena Lapinleimu Turku University hospital and University of Turku
• Suvi Stolt University of Helsinki

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23997/pk.75366

Keywords:

cognitive development, lexicon composition, lexicon size, receptive lexicon, very-low-birth-weight, very preterm

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the size and composition of the receptive lexicon in very
preterm (VP; born at <32 gestational weeks) and/or very-low-birth-weight (VLBW; birth
weight <1500g) children at 1;0. The possible association between early receptive lexicon and
cognitive development at 2;0 was also analysed. In this register study, all preterm children
(N=57) were born in Turku University Hospital between 2007–2009. The methods used
were the Finnish version of the MacArthur Communicative Development Inventory
(FinCDI) and Bayley Scales of Infant Development III. The receptive lexicon size of the
preterm children was smaller than the one of the norming sample of the FinCDI. On the
group level, the composition of the receptive lexicon was comparable to that reported in
previous studies. The early receptive lexicon size and composition correlated significantly
and positively with later cognitive development. Results verify earlier reported findings on
the smaller receptive lexicon at 1;0 in preterm children. Results also provide further, new
information on the significant association between early receptive lexicon and later cognitive
development in very preterm children. This information can be used in the clinical context
when aiming to identify those children who need support for their development.