Developmental Trajectory of Language From 2 to 13 Years in Children Born Very Preterm

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to describe language functioning at 13 years of age and examine its developmental trajectory from 2 to 13 years of age in children born very preterm (VP) compared with term controls. METHODS: Two hundred and twenty-four children born VP ( RESULTS: Compared with term controls, children born VP had poorer functioning across all components of language (mean group differences ranged from −0.5 SD to −1 SD; all P P = .55). CONCLUSIONS: Children born VP continue to display language difficulties compared with term controls at 13 years of age, with no evidence of developmental “catch-up.” Given the functional implications associated with language deficits, early language-based interventions should be considered for children born VP.