Language abilities and associated risk factors of school-aged children with cleft lip and palate.

Previous research on children with cleft lip and palate (CLP) reported unequivocal findings with regard to language skills, with the majority suggesting persistent difficulties in early childhood. While expressive language deficits improved with age, receptive language skills were consistently lower than peers. Further study investigating the long term and persistent impact of language deficits amongst school-aged children with CLP is warranted. This was a cross-sectional study, aimed to determine the language abilities and explore the associated risk factors in Malay speaking children with CLP in Malaysia. Fifty-two children with CLP aged 7- to 12-year-old participated in this study. Language skills were assessed using the Malay Preschool Language Assessment Tool and the adapted Subway-School-age Language & Assessment Measures. Findings revealed that 14 (26.92%) school-aged children with CLP demonstrated language deficits. Children with CLP performed significantly poorer in reading comprehension (p = 0.031) and narrative (p = 0.026) skills. It was found that the age significantly influenced total receptive language score (ß = 0.421, p = 0.003) and total expressive language score (ß = 0.477, p = 0.000). Findings suggested that children with CLP may continue to have persistent language deficits into their school-age years. Recommendations for regular monitoring of language performance especially for those from younger age groups is warranted to help maximize school attainment.

Factors Affecting Early and Late Cochlear Implantation.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to describe the factors affecting early and late cochlear implantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 159 patients from the Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz (HCTM) Cochlear Implant Programme were recruited in this retrospective cross-sectional study. All paediatric Cochlear Implant (CI) recipients with pre-lingual deafness were included in this retrospective study. The study was conducted from January 2019 until December 2020. The pre-lingual cochlear implant recipients' data were analysed based on demographics and interval from diagnosis to hearing aid fitting and implantation. The association between the dependent variables with early and late cochlear implantation was compared. RESULTS: A total of 83 (52%) patients were female. Chinese race constituted most of the patients, which was 90/159 (57%). The majority were from middle-income families (M40); 89 (56%). The most common aetiology of Hearing Loss (HL) was idiopathic; 139 (87%), followed by intrauterine infections, which comprised of congenital CMV; 8 (5%) and congenital Rubella; 1 (1%) and nonspecific intrauterine infection 2 (1%). The relationship between the universal neonatal hearing screening and the interval between diagnosis to implantation was significant (p=0.033). Other variables were not significant. CONCLUSION: UNHS was a significant factor contributing to early and late implantation. The median age of diagnosis of hearing loss was 18 months (interquartile range; 15); the age of CI was 34 months (interquartile range; 24); the interval from diagnosis to hearing aid was 2 months (interquartile range; 5), and the interval from diagnosis to CI was 16 months (interquartile range; 14).

A Rare Tumor in the Neck of a Child: Plexiform Neurofibroma.

Plexiform neurofibroma represents an uncommon variant of neurofibromatosis type 1, constituting only 5%-30% of all cases. Plexiform neurofibroma is usually diagnosed during childhood and arises from multiple nerves, manifesting as bulging and deforming masses that can also involve connective tissue and skin folds. We report a case of a two-year-old girl who presented with worsening stridor since birth and later exhibited progressively increasing left neck swelling at the age of 10 months old. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a lobulated solid mass in the left deep neck space extending to the midline and having a mass effect on the airway with involvement of the supraglottic region. Tracheostomy was done, and a biopsy of the supraglottic lesion revealed a plexiform neurofibroma. The patient was conservatively managed after a discussion with her parents concerning the associated potential of operative morbidity. The patient's parents had learned about tracheostomy care, and the patient was scheduled for yearly MRI surveillance. MRI was performed again three months after the initial diagnosis and showed stable lesion. Plexiform neurofibroma is a slow-growing tumor. A treatment decision must consider the benefits of surgery and the morbidity of the progressing disease. Hence, airway management is crucial prior to the final decision of such cases.

Auditory Performance in Early Implanted Children with Cochleovestibular Malformation and Cochlear Nerve Deficiency.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to report the auditory performance in children with cochleovestibular malformation (CVM)/cochlear nerve deficiency (CND) who were implanted early at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre, using Categorical Auditory Performance (CAP)-II score and Speech Intelligibility Rating (SIR) scales, and to compare the outcome of their matched counterparts. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 14 children with CVM/CND with unilateral cochlear implant (CI) implanted before the age of 4 years old were matched and compared with 14 children with normal inner ear structures. Their improvement in auditory performance was evaluated twice using CAP-II score and SIR scales at 6-month intervals, with the baseline evaluation done at least 6 months after implantation. RESULTS: The average age of implantation was 31±8 and 33±7 months for the control group and the case (CVM/CND) group, respectively. Overall, there were no significant differences in outcome when comparing the entire cohort of case subjects and their matched control subjects in this study. However, the improvement in CAP-II scores and SIR scales among the case subjects in between the first and second evaluations was statistically significant (p=0.040 and p=0.034, respectively). With longer duration of CI usage, children with CVM/CND showed significant speech perception outcome evident by their SIR scales (p=0.011). CONCLUSION: Children with radiographically malformed inner ear structures who were implanted before the age of 4 years have comparable performance to their matched counterparts, evident by their similar improvement of CAP-II scores and SIR scales over time. Hence, this group of children benefited from cochlear implantation.

Stridor Secondary to Acquired Subglottic Cyst: Rarity Makes it Missed.

Subglottic cysts (SGCs) are a rare cause of airway obstruction in children. Medical advances, higher survival rates for preterm infants, and improved diagnostic equipment have increased the number of reported cases of SGCs over the last three decades, the majority occurring in infants who had been extremely premature neonates and had suffered from respiratory distress, therefore having been intubated and managed in neonatal ICUs. Symptoms of laryngeal cysts depend on the size and the location of the cyst and include a change in the tone of voice, dysphonia, hoarseness, dysphagia, stridor, and dyspnea. This condition is often misdiagnosed as laryngomalacia, asthma, croup, or other diseases, due to the fact that it manifests as recurring respiratory infections, stridor, and wheezing. Death can occur in severe cases that are not treated. When present, it may account for severe inspiratory stridor that compromise the airway. The accepted gold standard treatment is direct laryngoscopy with marsupialization of the cyst to prevent recurrence. Two cases of subglottic cyst in our centre are described here. Although all cases presented differently, but in both of our cases, which have previous history of intubation with prematurity were initially diagnosed as laryngomalacia and croup.

A bizarre case of accessory larynx in an infant with OEIS syndrome.

We report a bizarre case of accessory larynx in an infant with OEIS syndrome (omphalocele, cloacal exstrophy, imperforated anus & spinal defects). This is the first reported case in literature of a duplicate accessory larynx which is a mirror image of the true larynx. A congenital duplication of the larynx is a rare anomaly and can present in various forms. In this case, the infant presented with recurrent lung infection and inability to wean off oxygen. Scope revealed severe laryngomalacia in addition to the accessory larynx. Hence, supraglottoplasty was done with aim to resolve the lung and airway problem.

Impact of Pediatric Acute Otitis Media on Child and Parental Quality of Life and Associated Productivity Loss in Malaysia: A Prospective Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: Acute otitis media (AOM) affects both child and parental quality of life (QoL). Data on QoL associated with AOM in Malaysia is sparse, and the burden of indirect costs have not been previously reported. OBJECTIVE: To determine the effect of pediatric AOM on child and parental QoL in Malaysia and its economic impact (indirect costs). METHODS: We utilized a set of QoL questionnaires (PAR-AOM-QOL, OM-6, and EQ-5D) combined with questions addressing work/productivity loss and financial costs associated with caring for a child during his or her illness in an observational, multicenter, prospective study. RESULTS: One hundred and ten AOM patients aged ≤5 years were included in the analysis. The majority of respondents were the patient's mother. Parental QoL was negatively affected for both emotional and daily disturbance scales, but the level of disturbance was low. Using OM-6, the greatest negative impact was on the child's QoL, followed by caregiver concerns, physical suffering, and emotional distress. Using EQ-5D, a moderately positive relationship between parents' emotional disturbance and daily disturbance, and a weak, negative correlation between parental emotional disturbance and parental health status was found. Parents with paid employment took an average of 21 h from work to care for their child, at an average cost of 321.8 Malaysian ringgit (US$97) in addition to their contribution to direct medical costs. Productivity losses whilst at work, uncompensated wage losses, and leisure time losses are also reported. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that AOM is associated with some negative impact on parental QoL and significant economic impact at both patient and societal levels. The findings provide useful data on healthcare resource utilization and disease burden of AOM in Malaysia.

Congenital Midline Tongue Base Mass in An Infant: Lingual Hamartoma.

Lingual hamartoma is a rare finding of congenital midline posterior tongue mass. The lesion may be seen as a single anomaly or maybe associated with syndrome especially the Oral Facial Digital Syndrome (OFDS). Here, we report an otherwise normal and healthy two-month-old boy with a congenital midline base of tongue mass presented with snoring and episodic vomiting since the age of 1 month. Tumour excision from the area of foramen of caecum recovered a pinkish pedunculated tumour. Histopathology examination confirmed the diagnosis of leiomyomatous lingual hamartoma. Differential diagnosis, especially for midline tongue mass and other paediatric tongue lesions are discussed. We also discuss the epidemiology, histopathologic features, treatment and prognosis of lingual hamartoma based on the literature review.

The formation of human auricular cartilage from microtic tissue: An in vivo study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to isolate, culture-expand and characterize the chondrocytes isolated from microtic cartilage and evaluate its potential as a cell source for ear cartilage reconstruction. Specific attention was to construct the auricular cartilage tissue by using fibrin as scaffold. STUDY DESIGN: Cell culture experiment with the use of microtic chondrocytes. DESIGN: Cell culture experiment with the use of microtic chondrocytes. METHODS: After ear reconstructive surgery at the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Center, chondrocytes were isolated from microtic cartilage. Chondrocytes isolated from the tissue were cultured expanded until passage 4 (P4). Upon confluency at P4, chondrocytes were harvested and tissue engineered constructs were made with human plasma polymerized to fibrin. Constructs formed later is implanted at the dorsal part of nude mice for 8 weeks, followed by post-implantation evaluation with histology staining (Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) and Safranin O), immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR for chondrogenic associated genes expression level. RESULTS: Under gross assessment, the construct after 8 weeks of implantation showed similar physical characteristics that of cartilage. Histological staining showed abundant lacunae cells embedded in extracellular matrix similar to that of native cartilage. Safranin O staining showed positive staining which indicates the presence of proteoglycan-rich matrix. Immunohistochemistry analysis showed the strong positive staining for collagen type II, the specific collagen type in the cartilage. Gene expression quantification showed no significant differences in the expression of chondrogenic gene used which is collagen type I, collagen type II, aggrecan core protein (ACP), elastin and sox9 genes when compared to construct formed from normal auricular tissue. CONCLUSION: Chondrocytes isolated from microtia cartilage has the potential to be used as an alternative cell source for external ear reconstruction in future clinical application.

Diagnosis and treatment of branchial cleft anomalies in UKMMC: a 10-year retrospective study.

Branchial cleft anomalies result from abnormal persistence of branchial apparatus, which is located at the lateral part of the neck. These occur due to failure of obliteration of the branchial apparatus during embryonic development. Differential diagnoses of lateral neck mass are salivary gland or neurogenic neoplasms, paragangliomas, adenopathies, cystic hygroma or cystic metastasis from squamous cell carcinoma or thyroid papillary carcinoma. Clinically, a branchial cyst is smooth, round, fluctuant and non-tender, and usually occurs over the upper part of the neck, anterior to the sternocleidomastoid muscle. Sometimes, it may present as infected cyst (or abscess), a sinus or fistula. Surgical excision is the definitive treatment for branchial anomalies. The objective of the work was to study the demographic data, clinical presentation, definite diagnostic workup and treatment of patients diagnosed with branchial anomalies. This is a retrospective study of 26 patients who were diagnosed with branchial anomalies (branchial cyst and fistula), of which only 12 patients had data available between July 1999 and June 2009 at the Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre. Twelve cases of branchial anomalies were seen, in which 10 patients had second branchial cyst anomalies, 1 had third branchial fistula and 1 had bilateral branchial lesion. There were seven females and five males. The age of the patients varied over a wide range (4-44 years), but the majority of the patients were in their second and third decade of life. All branchial anomalies occurred at the classical site; eight patients had left-sided neck lesion. Correct clinical diagnosis was made only in five patients (41.6 %). All patients underwent surgical excision with no reported recurrence. Branchial anomalies are frequently forgotten in the differential diagnosis of lateral neck swelling. Diagnosis is usually delayed, leading to improper treatment. The diagnosis of patients who present with lateral neck cystic swelling with or without episodes of recurrent neck abscess should be considered with a high suspicion for branchial anomalies. FNA cytology is a good investigative tool in reaching toward a diagnosis of branchial lesion, with the concurrent assistance of radiological modalities. Surgical excision is the gold standard treatment of lesions of branchial anomalies.

Vestibular nerve section in a child with intractable Menière's disease.

Clinical presentation of Menière's disease in children is not as typical as in adults. The triad of vertigo, tinnitus and deafness are not usually elicited, diagnosis often being made after years of follow up and batteries of investigation. A case of Menière's disease in a 3-year-old boy is presented. The diagnosis was only obvious at the age of 8 when the triad of vertigo, deafness and tinnitus were present. His disease progressed despite a trial of intratympanic gentamicin injections and endolymphatic sac decompression. Vestibular nerve section was subsequently performed for his intractable disease. Following the procedure he was asymptomatic and able to attend school.