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Published on: January 11, 2016

Language and motor speech skills in children with cerebral palsy

Silja Pirila1, Jaap van der Meere, Taina Pentikainen

  • 1Paediatric Research Centre, Tampere University Hospital, Tauh, Finland. silja.pirila@pshp.fi

Journal of Communication Disorders
|July 25, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Children with cerebral palsy (CP) often face motor, speech, and language challenges. Neonatal ultrasound findings can predict motor limitations, but the relationship between cognitive level and speech/language issues requires further study.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Speech-Language Pathology

Background:

  • Cerebral palsy (CP) in premature infants often involves white-matter damage, impacting motor, cognitive, and communication skills.
  • Understanding the interplay between motor limitations, cognitive function, and speech/language development is crucial for early intervention in children with CP.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the associations between motor limitations, cognitive difficulties, and language/speech problems in children with CP.
  • To explore the predictive value of neonatal cranial ultrasound findings for later outcomes in this population.

Main Methods:

  • Study included 36 children with CP resulting from premature birth and periventricular leukomalacia.
  • Data collected on motor function, cognitive level (intelligence quotient), and speech/language abilities.
  • Neonatal cranial ultrasonography findings were analyzed for their association with motor limitations.

Main Results:

  • Children with intelligence levels above 70 (62%) had varying degrees of motor speech problems.
  • Children with intelligence levels below 70 (38%) exhibited significant motor speech, expressive, and receptive language difficulties.
  • Neonatal cranial ultrasound findings showed a moderate association with the severity of functional motor limitations.

Conclusions:

  • Cognitive level significantly influences speech and language performance in children with CP.
  • Neonatal ultrasound is a moderately effective tool for predicting motor limitations in infants with CP.
  • Further research is needed to fully elucidate the complex relationships between these factors.
Abstract

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