Prosody during disyllable production of full-term and preterm infants

The relation between prosody and articulation during disyllable production was examined at 9-months term equivalent (corrected) age in 16 full-term and 16 preterm infants. Syllable length, fundamental frequency (FO), and amplitude were compared in nonfinal and final position for each segment in all disyllables recorded on audiotape. The preterm infants were significantly less likely to increase final syllable length than infants in the full term group. FO and amplitude of the preterm infants were also significantly less likely to decrease from nonfinal to final syllables. A history of respiratory problems, including faster breathing and higher chest wall compliance (lower stiffness), may influence the way that oral articulator dynamics tap the potential energy of air stored in the lungs.