title: Long term results of childhood dysphonia treatment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess the long term results of treatment and rehabilitation of childhood dysphonia.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study included a group of adolescents (n=29) aged from 15 to 20 who were treated due to pediatric hyperfunctional dysphonia and soft vocal fold nodules during their pre-mutational period (i.e. between 5 and 12 years of age). The pre-mutational therapy was comprised of proper breathing pattern training, voice exercises and psychological counseling. Laryngostroboscopic examination and perceptual analysis of voice were performed in each patient before treatment and one to four years after mutation was complete. The laryngostroboscopic findings, i.e. symmetry, amplitude, mucosal wave and vocal fold closure, were graded with NAPZ scale, and the GRBAS scale was used for the perceptual voice analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Complete regression of the childhood dysphonia was observed in all male patients (n=14). Voice disorders regressed completely also in 8 out of 15 girls, but symptoms of dysphonia documented on perceptual scale persisted in the remaining seven patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Complex voice therapy implemented in adolescence should be considered as either the treatment or preventive measure of persistent voice strain, especially in girls.
authors.affiliation: Department of Phoniatry and Voice Rehabilitation, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, NicolausCopernicus University in Torun, Bydgoszcz, Poland.
authors.forename: Hanna
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Mackiewicz-Nartowicz
authors.affiliation: Department of Phoniatry and Voice Rehabilitation, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, NicolausCopernicus University in Torun, Bydgoszcz, Poland.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sinkiewicz
authors.affiliation: Department of Phoniatry and Voice Rehabilitation, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, NicolausCopernicus University in Torun, Bydgoszcz, Poland.
authors.forename: Arleta
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bielecka
authors.affiliation: Department of Phoniatry and Voice Rehabilitation, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, NicolausCopernicus University in Torun, Bydgoszcz, Poland.
authors.forename: Hanna
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Owczarzak
authors.affiliation: Department and Clinic of Rehabilitation, Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, NicolausCopernicus University in Torun, Bydgoszcz, Poland.
authors.forename: Magdalena
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mackiewicz-Milewska
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology with the Maxillary Surgery Ward, Dr. J. Biziel MemorialUniversity Hospital No. 2, Bydgoszcz, Poland.
authors.forename: Piotr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Winiarski
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D055154:Dysphonia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007828:Laryngoscopy / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014827:Vocal Cords / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014833:Voice Quality / Q000502:physiology*; D014834:Voice Training
keywords: Childhood dysphonia; Laryngovideostroboscopy; Vocal fold nodules; Voice therapy