Document Detail


Growth of infant communication between 8 and 12 months: a population study.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  17096710     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
AIM: To describe changes in infant prelinguistic communication skills between 8 and 12 months, and identify factors associated with those skills. METHODS: DESIGN: Parent questionnaire data for a prospective population-based cohort of infants in metropolitan Melbourne, Australia. PARTICIPANTS: 1911 infants born November 2002-August 2003. OUTCOME: Infant communication (Communication and Symbolic Behaviour Scales (CSBS)) at 8 and 12 months. Potential risk factors: sex; prematurity; multiple birth; sociodemographic indicators; maternal mental health, vocabulary and education; non-English speaking background; and family history of speech-language difficulties. Linear regression models were fitted to total standardised CSBS scores at 8 and 12 months. RESULTS: Social communication, especially the use of gesture, developed rapidly from 8 to 12 months. Female sex, twin birth, and family history were strongly associated with CSBS scores. The combined model accounted for 5% and 6% of the total variation at 8 and 12 months, respectively. CSBS score at 8 months strongly predicted CSBS score at 12 months (coefficient = 0.56, partial R(2) = 37.0). CONCLUSIONS: There is a dramatic increase in communication skills between 8 and 12 months, particularly the development of gesture, which (as in previous studies) predates and predicts future language development. Risk factors explained little variation in early communication trajectories and therefore, based on our findings, this developmental course is more likely to be biologically predetermined. Rather than focusing on risk factors, we suggest that language promotion activities in otherwise healthy young infants should either be universal or, if targeted, be based on the level of communication skills displayed.
Authors:
Sheena Reilly; Patricia Eadie; Edith L Bavin; Melissa Wake; Margot Prior; Joanne Williams; Lesley Bretherton; Yin Barrett; Obioha C Ukoumunne
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't    
Journal Detail:
Title:  Journal of paediatrics and child health     Volume:  42     ISSN:  1034-4810     ISO Abbreviation:  J Paediatr Child Health     Publication Date:  2006 Dec 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2006-11-13     Completed Date:  2007-02-21     Revised Date:  2007-09-24    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9005421     Medline TA:  J Paediatr Child Health     Country:  Australia    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  764-70     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
School of Human Communication Sciences, La Trobe University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. S.Reilly@latrobe.edu.au
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Australia
Child Language
Cohort Studies
Female
Humans
Infant
Male
Mental Health
Mothers / psychology
Nonverbal Communication / physiology*,  psychology
Prospective Studies
Regression Analysis
Risk Factors
Socioeconomic Factors
Twins

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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