@article{8742462,
  abstract     = {{Introduction. It is hypothesized that speech disorders in children with cleft palate with or
without cleft lip (CP±L) can be avoided when the soft and hard palate are closed prior
to 6 months of age so that the palate is functional when the first oral consonants are
produced. This study aimed to provide longitudinal speech outcomes in Ugandan
children with CP±L who received palatal closure prior to the age of 6 months.
Methods. Ten children with CP±L were assessed at a mean age of 5 and 10 years old.
The outcome measures included perceptual ratings of speech understandability,
speech acceptability, resonance, nasal airflow and articulation based on an
internationally accepted assessment protocol. Based on these perceptual ratings,
velopharyngeal function was estimated using the velopharyngeal composite score
(VPC-sum). Information regarding speech therapy, fistula rate, and secondary
(speech) surgery was collected. The outcomes were compared with the longitudinal
outcomes of a matched control group of ten Ugandan children without CP±L.
Results. Speech understandability and acceptability improved significantly over time in
the patient group. At both test dates, significantly worse judgments were found for the
patient group compared to the control group for these variables and variables related
to passive speech errors. A significant difference was found for the presence of
compensatory articulation errors at the age of 5 years but not at the age of 10 years,
indicating a catch up by the patient group.
Conclusion. Despite the limited access to health care facilities, speech of Ugandan
patients with CP±L generally improved over time. Differences were still present
compared to the speech of children without CP±L at the age of 10 years, especially
regarding understandability and the presence of passive speech errors. Whether
palatal closure prior to the age of 6 months is transferable to Western countries is
subject for further research.}},
  articleno    = {{106198}},
  author       = {{Bettens, Kim and Alighieri, Cassandra and Bruneel, Laura and D'haeseleer, Evelien and Luyten, Anke and Sseremba, Daniel and Musasizib, Duncan and Ojok, Isaac and Hodges, Andrew and Galiwango, George and Vermeersch, Hubert and Van Lierde, Kristiane}},
  issn         = {{0021-9924}},
  journal      = {{JOURNAL OF COMMUNICATION DISORDERS}},
  keywords     = {{speech outcomes,cleft palate,primary palatal repair,Uganda,longitudinal,9-MONTH-OLD BABIES,AUDIT PROTOCOL,FOLLOW-UP,LIP,AGE,SURGERY,IMPACT,GROWTH,BORN}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  pages        = {{13}},
  title        = {{Better speech outcomes after very early palatal repair? A longitudinal case-control study in Ugandan children with cleft palate}},
  url          = {{http://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcomdis.2022.106198}},
  volume       = {{96}},
  year         = {{2022}},
}

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