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Maximum phonation time and s/z ratio in a large child cohort
Elaine Lara Mendes Tavares1, Alcione G Brasolotto, Sérgio A Rodrigues
1Department of Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University, São Paulo, Brazil.
Aim:
The purpose of this study was to provide normal values for maximum phonation time (MPT) and the s/z ratio by examining 1660 children aged 4-12 years and without vocal signs or symptoms.
Methods:
The technique was based on the sustained emission of the /a/ vowel and fricatives /s/ and /z/.
Results:
The average of the MPT in children of the different age groups was as follows: 6.09 seconds for the age group 4-6 years (males, 5.97; female, 6.21 seconds), 7.94 seconds for the age group 7-9 years (males, 8.07; females, 7.79 seconds), and 8.98 for the age group 10-12 years (males, 9.05; females, 8.92 seconds). The overall average for males was 7.78 and females 7.64 seconds. The s/z ratio was near 1.0 in most children but above 1.2 in 133 children and below 0.8 in 133 children.
Conclusion:
These values of MPT and s/z ratio can be used as normative in further pediatric studies.
