Fouche, Lauren C.Kritzinger, Alta M. (Aletta Margaretha)Le Roux, Talita2019-07-122019-07-122018-09Fouché, L.C., Kritzinger, A., & Le Roux, T. (2018). Gestational age and birth weight variations in young children with language impairment at an early communication intervention clinic. South African Journal of Communication Disorders 65(1), a584. https://DOI.org/10.4102/sajcd.v65i1.584.0379-8046 (print)2225-4765 (online)10.4102/sajcd.v65i1.584http://hdl.handle.net/2263/70699BACKGROUND : South Africa presents with high preterm birth (PTB) and low birth weight (LBW) rates (14.17%). Numerous conditions characterised by language impairment are associated with LBW and/or PTB. Speech-language therapists may fail to identify older children whose language impairment may have originated from LBW and/or PTB. OBJECTIVE : To describe the frequency of LBW and/or PTB, in comparison with full-term birth, and associated conditions in children at an early communication intervention (ECI) clinic. METHODS : Retrospective data of 530 children aged 3–74 months were analysed, with 91.9% presenting with language impairment. RESULTS : Almost 40% had LBW and/or PTB, and late PTB was the largest category. Factors associated with LBW and/or PTB were prenatal risks, including small-for-gestational age, perinatal risks, including caesarean section, and primary developmental conditions. Secondary language impairment was prevalent, associated with genetic conditions and global developmental delay. CONCLUSION : The frequency of LBW and/or PTB was unexpectedly high, drawing attention to the origins of language impairment in almost 40% of the caseload at the ECI clinic.en© 2018. The Authors. Licensee: AOSIS. This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution License.Language impairmentSpeech-language therapist (SLT)Preterm birth (PTB)Low birth weight (LBW)Full-term birthEarly communication intervention (ECI)Article