Speech outcomes in isolated cleft palate: impact of cleft extent and additional malformations.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the study was to study the speech outcome in a series of 5-year-old children born with an isolated cleft palate and compare the speech with that of noncleft children and to study the impact of cleft extent and additional malformation on the speech outcome.


METHODS
A cross-sectional retrospective study.


METHODS
A university hospital serving a population of 1.5 million inhabitants.


METHODS
Fifty-one patients with an isolated cleft palate; 22 of these had additional malformations. Thirteen noncleft children served as a reference group.


METHODS
A primary soft palate repair at a mean of 8 months of age and a hard palate closure at a mean age of 4 years and 2 months if the cleft extended into the hard palate.


METHODS
Perceptual judgment of seven speech variables assessed on a five-point scale by three experienced speech pathologists.


RESULTS
The cleft palate group had significantly higher frequency of speech symptoms related to velopharyngeal function than the reference group. There were, however, no significant differences in speech outcome between the subgroup with a nonsyndromic cleft and the reference group. Cleft extent had a significant impact on the variable retracted oral articulation while the presence of additional malformations had a significant impact on several variables related to velopharyngeal function and articulation errors.


CONCLUSIONS
Children with a cleft in the soft palate only, with no additional malformations, had satisfactory speech, while children with a cleft palate accompanied by additional malformations or as a part of a syndrome should be considered to be at risk for speech problems.
Persson
Christina
C
Department of Logopedics and Phoniatrics, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Göteborg, Sweden. christina.persson@logopedi.gu.se
Elander
Anna
A
Lohmander-Agerskov
Anette
A
Söderpalm
Ewa
E
D001184:Articulation Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002972:Cleft Palate / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015588:Observer Variation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013064:Speech Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D013577:Syndrome; D014681:Velopharyngeal Insufficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology; D014832:Voice Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology