Feragne M, Tucker R, Mayne J, Vohr B. Language outcomes at 18-24 months of preterm infants from US Spanish- and English-speaking homes.
Acta Paediatr 2024;
113:239-246. [PMID:
37874258 DOI:
10.1111/apa.17006]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 10/06/2023] [Accepted: 10/10/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
AIM
To evaluate the association of Spanish compared to English primary household language on preterm (PT) infants' language outcomes in the United States and to examine associations with socio-economic factors.
METHODS
This was a retrospective cohort of PT infants born <32 weeks gestation from Spanish-speaking (n = 95) and English-speaking homes (n = 1030) born 2005-2019. Language (primary outcome) and cognitive and motor skills (secondary outcomes) were measured using the BSID-III at 18-24 months corrected age. Group differences were evaluated using bivariate comparisons and logistic regression analyses.
RESULTS
Mothers reporting Spanish-speaking homes had higher rates of public insurance and lower educational achievement. Group newborn characteristics were similar. Preterm infants from Spanish-speaking homes had significantly lower BSID-III language composite, cognitive composite, receptive and expressive scores compared to infants from English-speaking homes. Logistic regression modelling identified independent negative effects of Spanish-speaking household OR 3.26 (CI 1.89-5.62) and public insurance OR 2.31 (CI 1.71-3.12) with a protective benefit derived from breast milk OR 0.68 (CI 0.50-0.92) when adjusting for medical morbidities, socio-economic factors and gestational age.
CONCLUSION
Public health policies and interventions in the United States should target language and cognitive outcomes of PT infants from Spanish-speaking homes.
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