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Updated: Nov 22, 2025

Examining Recall Memory in Infancy and Early Childhood Using the Elicited Imitation Paradigm
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Predicting Individual Differences in Recall by Infants Born Preterm and Full Term

Carol L Cheatham1, Patricia J Bauer1, Michael K Georgieff1

  • 1Institute of Child Development and Center for Neurobehavioral Development University of Minnesota.

Infancy : the Official Journal of the International Society on Infant Studies
|January 8, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Infants born very preterm showed lower recall in memory tasks at 12 months corrected age. Encoding rate and cognitive scores predicted memory performance, suggesting early detection of cognitive difficulties is possible.

Area of Science:

  • Developmental Psychology
  • Neuroscience
  • Pediatrics

Background:

  • Preterm birth can impact cognitive development.
  • Declarative memory and encoding are crucial cognitive functions in infancy.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare declarative memory and encoding rates in very preterm, moderately preterm, and full-term infants at 12 months corrected age.
  • To identify factors predicting individual differences in recall among these groups.

Main Methods:

  • Participants included infants born very preterm (27-34 weeks), moderately preterm (35-37 weeks), and full-term (38-41 weeks).
  • Cognitive performance was assessed at 12 months corrected age using imitation (encoding rate) and examining (declarative memory) tasks.
  • The Mental Development Index (MDI) from the Bayley Scales of Infant Development was also administered.

Main Results:

  • Infants born very preterm demonstrated significantly lower levels of recall compared to full-term infants.
  • Encoding rate and MDI scores were significant predictors of delayed ordered recall.
  • Gestation age and encoding rate were associated with memory performance.

Conclusions:

  • Very preterm infants face challenges in declarative memory recall at 12 months corrected age.
  • Early cognitive assessments, including encoding speed and MDI, can help identify infants at risk for cognitive delays.
  • These findings support the need for early detection and intervention strategies for children with preterm histories.

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