Social determinants of health and language outcomes in preterm infants with public and private insurance

To evaluate associations of maternal social determinants of health (SDOH) with language outcomes of preterm infants with public and private insurance.

Single center study of 375 neonates born ≤ 28 weeks. Perinatal characteristics were collected, and the Bayley III was administered at 18-24 months. Primary outcome was language scores of <85. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were used to compare groups.

Mothers with public insurance had higher rates of psychosocial risk factors. In regression analysis, People of Color (aOR 2.4, 1.47–4.04), non-English speaking household (aOR 4.05, 1.47–11.15) and public insurance (aOR 2.03, 1.18–3.49) significantly increased the odds of having a language composite score of <85, whereas breast milk (aOR 0.47, 0.28–0.79) was protective.

Preterm infants with public insurance are at increased risk of exposure to multiple SDOH which are independently associated with language delay at 18–24 months.