Introduction: Pre-term infants run a greater risk of development deviation since the gestational age has a major influence on later cognitive and linguistic development of pre-term infants, especially in the early years of life. The brain plays an important role as it controls the organic systems and their functioning. Purpose: The purpose of the diploma work is to show the influence of pre-term birth on the cognitive and linguistic development. Methods: In the diploma work the descriptive method of work is used. A systematic review of professional and scientific literature was carried out. The literature search was conducted in databases: ScienceDirect, CHINAL, Medline and in the COBISS + Cooperative Bibliographic System, and by reviewing references in some articles. The literature in English and Slovene language is included. Results: Numerous studies have shown that pre-term birth affects development. There is a greater risk to develop poorer cognitive and linguistic abilities. Pre-term- born children have lower results of intelligent quotient tests and tests that test linguistic abilities. In cognitive and linguistic abilities tests, pre-term born children got lower results than term- born children. The research has shown that cognitive function deficit is mostly associated with very low birth weight and low gestational age. Cognitive lagging and lower intelligence quotient were found in all research. The deviations of the intelligent quotient vary depending on the pattern involved and the gestational age / birth weight of the participants. The deviations in the infancy of pre-term- born children affect their education. Language development is directly related to cognitive abilities. A child with a cognitive deficit can't develop linguistic abilities normally. Discussion: Pre-term birth affects the cognitive and linguistic development of prematurely born children. Pre-term babies are lagging behind in the language development. There were problems with the language understanding and non-verbal communication. Nurses are the persons who spend the most time directly with pre-term- born babies. Good relations in the healthcare team and with premature babies are crucial, as this ensures optimal care for infants and consequently affects their optimal development.
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