Prenatal and perinatal risk factors for intellectual and speech development disorders in children: a narrative literature review and retrospective analysis results

Speech skills and intelligence level are crucial in determining a person’s success in various areas of life. Data from numerous studies on the influence of pre- and perinatal factors on children’s neurocognitive development remain contradictory, despite the fact that knowledge in this area potentially has significant practical implications. This article presents a narrative review of current literature on the impact of pre- and perinatal factors on speech and intellectual development in children, as well as the results of our own retrospective study of a sample of preschool children from the Nizhny Novgorod region of Russia. Data were obtained on the negative association of preterm birth, gestational diabetes mellitus, threatened miscarriage, cesarean section delivery, and hypertensive disorders during pregnancy with children’s speech and intellectual development. Taking these factors into account at early stages of ontogeny (preschool age) and timely correction of speech and intellectual functions may help preventing school underachievement and improving a child’s adaptation to the academic environment.

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