Phonological Development in Children with Obstructive Sleep Disordered Breathing

• Adeno-tonsillar hypertrophy with obstructive sleep disordered breathing (OSDB) is known to affect oral-motor function, behaviour, and academic performance. Adeno-tonsillectomy is the most frequently performed operation in children, with total tonsillectomy (TE) being more common than partial resection, ‘tonsillotomy’ (TT). In the present study 67 children, aged 50–65 months, with OSBD were randomized to TE or TT. The children’s phonology was assessed pre-operatively and 6 months post-operatively. Two groups of children served as controls. Phonology was affected in 62.7% of OSBD children before surgery, compared to 34% in the control group (p < .001). Also, OSBDchildren had more severe phonological deficits than the controls (p < .001). Phonology improved 6 months equally after both surgeries. Despite improvement post-operatively, the gap to the controls increased. Other functional aspects, such as oral motor function, were normalized regardless of surgical method—TE or TT. The impact of OSBD should be considered as one contributing factor in phonological impairment.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Oto-rhino-laryngologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Otorhinolaryngology (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Child

phonological disorders

obstructive sleep-disordered breathing

tonsil surgery

Logopedics and phoniatrics

Logopedi och foniatrik

MEDICINE

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)