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Speech Sound Development in Preterm Children Aged 3-4 Years: A Retrospective Observational Study

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Title: Speech Sound Development in Preterm Children Aged 3-4 Years: A Retrospective Observational Study
Language: English
Authors: Sae Mi Hong (ORCID 0009-0004-6346-5064), Hyun Sub Sim (ORCID 0000-0002-4710-3678), Eun Jae Ko, Young Tae Kim, Dongsun Yim (ORCID 0000-0001-8254-9504), Seunghee Ha
Source: Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research. 2026 69(3):860-873.
Availability: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. 2200 Research Blvd #250, Rockville, MD 20850. Tel: 301-296-5700; Fax: 301-296-8580; e-mail: slhr@asha.org; Web site: http://jslhr.pubs.asha.org
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 14
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Preschool Children, Premature Infants, Perinatal Influences, Predictor Variables, Speech Communication, Phonetics, Identification, Individual Characteristics, Longitudinal Studies
Geographic Terms: South Korea (Seoul)
DOI: 10.1044/2025_JSLHR-25-00166
ISSN: 1092-4388
1558-9102
Abstract: Purpose: Despite advancements in improving survival rates, children born prematurely face high risks of neurodevelopmental delays, including speech sound disorders. This study aimed to (a) identify speech sound development trajectories in preterm children, (b) examine associated clinical and developmental characteristics, (c) analyze factors related to speech sound abilities, and (d) identify predictors of speech sound normalization. Method: In this retrospective longitudinal study, 80 preterm children (born < 37 weeks of gestation, birth weight < 2.5 kg) were assessed for speech sound development. Based on percent consonants correct (PCC) scores at ages 3 and 4 years, children were categorized into four trajectory groups: normal, abnormal, catch-up, and growing into deficit. Analyses included trajectory comparisons, correlations between PCC and gestational age, birth weight, and cognitive/motor/language abilities, as well as examination of predictors of speech sound normalization. Results: Over half of the children (51.3%) exhibited an abnormal trajectory, while 26.2% showed normal development, 20.0% demonstrated a catch-up trajectory, and 2.5% followed a growing-into-deficit pattern. Significant group differences were observed for sex, history of language intervention, and language abilities. PCC was significantly correlated with language quotients across ages. No significant factors predicted the normalization of speech sounds from ages 3 to 4 years. Conclusions: Preterm children are at considerable risk for persistent speech sound difficulties, which are closely linked to speech-language abilities. Given the lack of predictors of normalization outcomes, universal monitoring and comprehensive language-based interventions are recommended for preterm children with and without delayed speech sound development at age 3 years.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1499602
Database: ERIC
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  Data: Speech Sound Development in Preterm Children Aged 3-4 Years: A Retrospective Observational Study
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  Data: &lt;searchLink fieldCode=&quot;AR&quot; term=&quot;%22Sae+Mi+Hong%22&quot;&gt;Sae Mi Hong&lt;/searchLink&gt; (ORCID &lt;externalLink term=&quot;https://orcid.org/0009-0004-6346-5064&quot;&gt;0009-0004-6346-5064&lt;/externalLink&gt;)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;searchLink fieldCode=&quot;AR&quot; term=&quot;%22Hyun+Sub+Sim%22&quot;&gt;Hyun Sub Sim&lt;/searchLink&gt; (ORCID &lt;externalLink term=&quot;https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4710-3678&quot;&gt;0000-0002-4710-3678&lt;/externalLink&gt;)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;searchLink fieldCode=&quot;AR&quot; term=&quot;%22Eun+Jae+Ko%22&quot;&gt;Eun Jae Ko&lt;/searchLink&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;searchLink fieldCode=&quot;AR&quot; term=&quot;%22Young+Tae+Kim%22&quot;&gt;Young Tae Kim&lt;/searchLink&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;searchLink fieldCode=&quot;AR&quot; term=&quot;%22Dongsun+Yim%22&quot;&gt;Dongsun Yim&lt;/searchLink&gt; (ORCID &lt;externalLink term=&quot;https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8254-9504&quot;&gt;0000-0001-8254-9504&lt;/externalLink&gt;)&lt;br /&gt;&lt;searchLink fieldCode=&quot;AR&quot; term=&quot;%22Seunghee+Ha%22&quot;&gt;Seunghee Ha&lt;/searchLink&gt;
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  Data: American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. 2200 Research Blvd #250, Rockville, MD 20850. Tel: 301-296-5700; Fax: 301-296-8580; e-mail: slhr@asha.org; Web site: http://jslhr.pubs.asha.org
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  Data: 14
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  Data: 10.1044/2025_JSLHR-25-00166
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  Data: 1092-4388&lt;br /&gt;1558-9102
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Purpose: Despite advancements in improving survival rates, children born prematurely face high risks of neurodevelopmental delays, including speech sound disorders. This study aimed to (a) identify speech sound development trajectories in preterm children, (b) examine associated clinical and developmental characteristics, (c) analyze factors related to speech sound abilities, and (d) identify predictors of speech sound normalization. Method: In this retrospective longitudinal study, 80 preterm children (born &lt; 37 weeks of gestation, birth weight &lt; 2.5 kg) were assessed for speech sound development. Based on percent consonants correct (PCC) scores at ages 3 and 4 years, children were categorized into four trajectory groups: normal, abnormal, catch-up, and growing into deficit. Analyses included trajectory comparisons, correlations between PCC and gestational age, birth weight, and cognitive/motor/language abilities, as well as examination of predictors of speech sound normalization. Results: Over half of the children (51.3%) exhibited an abnormal trajectory, while 26.2% showed normal development, 20.0% demonstrated a catch-up trajectory, and 2.5% followed a growing-into-deficit pattern. Significant group differences were observed for sex, history of language intervention, and language abilities. PCC was significantly correlated with language quotients across ages. No significant factors predicted the normalization of speech sounds from ages 3 to 4 years. Conclusions: Preterm children are at considerable risk for persistent speech sound difficulties, which are closely linked to speech-language abilities. Given the lack of predictors of normalization outcomes, universal monitoring and comprehensive language-based interventions are recommended for preterm children with and without delayed speech sound development at age 3 years.
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        Value: 10.1044/2025_JSLHR-25-00166
    Languages:
      – Text: English
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        PageCount: 14
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      – SubjectFull: Foreign Countries
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Preschool Children
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Premature Infants
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      – SubjectFull: Perinatal Influences
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      – TitleFull: Speech Sound Development in Preterm Children Aged 3-4 Years: A Retrospective Observational Study
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