Developmental stuttering and in voluntary movements in schoolaged children in Cairo

ABSTRACT

Stuttering is a disturbance in the normal fluency and time patterning of speech that is inappropriate for a person's age. Developmental stuttering emerges during the period of rapid language development with two sharp peaks of onset between the ages of 2 to 3 1/2 years and 5 to 7 years. It involves a disruption in the smooth connection of sounds or syllables characterized by multiple interruptions within a word, such as repetitions of sounds, syllables and parts of words, elongation of words and blockades. This study aimed to assess developmental stuttering at its second peak in childhood and evaluate associated involuntary movements. A sample of 932 children [480 boys and 452 girls] aged 5-7 years attending 21 different schools and Kindergartens at different locations in Cairo City were included in the study. Speech, language and hearing development within the normal range, except for stuttering, were insured. Stuttering was considered to be present if 10 or more dysfluencies occurred in every 100 words. Stuttering was detected in 38 children with a prevalence rate of 4.07%. Stuttering severity was found to be 36%, 47.5%, and 15.7% for mild, moderate and severe stuttering respectively. The male to female ratio was 3.21. Tics were identified in 26.3% of stuttering children, versus 4.58% non stuttering children with a statistically significant difference in prevalence. Tics in the form of repetitive eye blinks followed by prolonged eye closure were found exclusively in the stuttering group. Left handedness was present in 5.26% of the stuttering children versus 4.13% non stuttering children. In view of the high prevalence of developmental stuttering and significant number of involuntary movements revealed - by the study, a mass screening program for early diagnosis and referral in this high risk group is recommended