Improving speech outcomes for very preterm born children in Wales
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Improving speech outcomes for very preterm born children in Wales (PROSPER)
IRAS ID
351877
Contact name
Sam Burr
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cardiff Metropolitan University
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 6 months, 30 days
Research summary
What research question is being addressed?
1) What does speech sound development look like in preterm-born children, and how is it different to what we know about speech development in children born at term?
2) Is current clinical practice in Wales effective in identifying VP-born children at 2 years (corrected age) who are at the highest risk of SSD later in childhood?
3) What are parents’ experiences of SLT involvement in neurodevelopmental follow-up care for VP-born children
in Wales?How is it of relevance and importance to patients and the public?
VP-born children are at increased risk of having difficulties learning to speak. Some of them have a speech sound disorder. Speech sound disorders can make it hard for children to be understood, and they may sound different to their friends. When these problems persist, they can affect learning, work life and mental health.As it is, children with speech difficulties do not usually see a speech and language therapist until they are already at school. For VP-born children who are known to be higher risk, early identification and intervention is all the more important to avoid delaying the help they need.
We will work with the neonatal team at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, who routinely see VP-born children when they are aged 2 years old. This is an important age for speech development. We will collect information about the children's speech. We will also collect information about how the clinicians assess speech at the moment. Importantly, we will work with parents to understand their views about the role of speech and language therapists in the 2-year-old assessments.
The study will run from May 2026 to November 2029 (the study funding period is 01 October 2025 - 30 November 2029).
REC name
South West - Frenchay Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
26/SW/0054
Date of REC Opinion
17 Apr 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion