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Updated: Aug 8, 2026
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Method of Studying Palatal Fusion using Static Organ Culture
Published on: September 19, 2015
Speech in children with an isolated cleft palate: A longitudinal perspective
Christina Persson1, Anette Lohmander, Anna Elander
1Department of Logopedics and Phoniatrics, Sahlgrenska Academy at Göteborg University, Göteborg, Sweden. christina.persson@logopedi.gu.se
Summary
Children with isolated cleft palate show speech improvements after surgery, but moderate velopharyngeal impairment persists. Additional syndromes or malformations are linked to ongoing speech difficulties in these children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric speech pathology
- Craniofacial anomalies
- Velopharyngeal function
Background:
- Velopharyngeal impairment (VPI) affects speech in children with cleft palate.
- Understanding the long-term speech outcomes is crucial for management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe speech symptoms related to velopharyngeal impairment in children with isolated cleft palate.
- To track changes in VPI and articulation over time.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal speech assessments at 3, 5, 7, and 10 years in 26 children with isolated cleft palate and 17 controls.
- Subgroup analysis based on VPI status at age 5.
- Perceptual evaluations and phonetic transcriptions.
Main Results:
- Children with VPI showed moderate persistent impairment despite surgical intervention.
- Both cleft palate groups differed significantly from controls at age 10.
- Glottal misarticulation and persistent VPI were more common in syndromic cases.
Conclusions:
- Speech improvements in cleft palate patients are linked to surgical intervention.
- Persistent velopharyngeal impairment is associated with syndromic conditions and multiple malformations.
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