title: Effect of recurrent otitis media on language profile in children with fragile x syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Language is almost always affected in fragile X syndrome (FXS), and a delay in language acquisition is one of the first characteristics. The aim of this work was to study the effect of recurrent middle ear infections on the language profile in boys with FXS.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  Academic Medical Center.
  
  
  METHODS
  The present study was conducted on 30 males, ranging in age from 4-10 years. They were diagnosed as having a full mutation of DNA. The males were divided into two groups: Group A included 15 children with a history of recurrent middle ear infections more than four times per year during the first 4 years of life, and Group B did not have a history of recurrent middle ear infections during the first 4 years of life. Language assessments were done for all participants using the Standardized Arabic Language test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Results showed significant delays in language development in children with FXS. Relative strengths in semantics compared to syntax and pragmatics were observed in all boys. The recurrent ear infections of the boys played an important role in the language development delay. The mean of receptive, expressive, and total language age was better and higher among boys without a history of recurrent middle ear infections compared to boys with recurrent middle ear infections.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Recurrent otitis media in boys with FXS exacerbates the language problems that exist in this syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Kasr Al-Aini School of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
authors.forename: Hatem Soliman
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Badran
authors.forename: Khairy M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Abulnasr
authors.forename: Sherien
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Abd El Hameed Nasser
keywords: fragile X syndrome; language assessment; language test; recurrent middle ear infections