Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 30, 2026

Clinical Practice Protocol of Creative Music Therapy for Preterm Infants and Their Parents in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
Published on: January 7, 2020
Dysphonia in very preterm children: a review of the evidence
Victoria Reynolds1, Suzanne Meldrum, Karen Simmer
1School of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, W.A., Australia.
Insights
Preterm infants undergoing intubation may face long-term voice problems, known as dysphonia. Female gender, low birth weight, and multiple intubations are associated with increased risk.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal care
- Pediatric audiology
- Laryngology
Background:
- Endotracheal intubation is crucial for very preterm infants but poses a risk for dysphonia.
- Preterm children may experience voice disorders later in life due to intubation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review existing evidence on long-term voice outcomes in preterm children.
- To identify risk factors associated with dysphonia in this population.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of studies on preterm infants and voice outcomes.
- Analysis of factors linked to dysphonia in published case studies and series.
Main Results:
- Limited studies exist, with three larger ones reporting on dysphonia in preterm children.
- Risk factors for poor voice outcomes include female gender, low birth weight (<1,000 g), and early gestation (<27 weeks).
- Surgical interventions, emergency/multiple intubations, laryngeal pathology, and supraglottic compression are linked to adverse voice outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Dysphonia is an emerging long-term complication of preterm birth.
- More research is needed to confirm risk factors and guide future voice treatment studies.
Introduction:
Intubation is a known risk factor for dysphonia yet is essential in the perinatal care of many very preterm infants. Children born preterm, who are frequently resuscitated with endotracheal intubation, may be at risk of dysphonia at school age and beyond.
Objectives:
To identify and describe the evidence pertaining to long-term voice outcomes and risk factors for developing dysphonia in preterm children.
Results:
In addition to case studies and series, three larger-scale studies have reported on dysphonia and voice outcomes in preterm children. Studies reporting treatment outcomes were not available. Factors associated with poor voice outcomes included female gender, birth weight <1,000 g, birth at <27 weeks' gestation, surgical closure of patent ductus arteriosus, emergency versus elective intubations and multiple intubations. Adverse voice outcomes were associated with laryngeal pathology and compensatory supraglottic compression.
Conclusions:
Dysphonia is a newly reported, long-term complication of preterm birth, yet the number of relevant studies remains limited. Further research is required to confirm the risk factors for developing dysphonia, which will inform future voice treatment studies.
More Related Videos
06:15Protocol and Guidelines for Point-of-Care Lung Ultrasound in Diagnosing Neonatal Pulmonary Diseases Based on International Expert Consensus
Published on: March 6, 2019
06:19Author Spotlight: Implications of Non-Nutritive Sucking on Speech Emergence and Infant Development
Published on: April 19, 2024
Related Concept Videos
Respiratory System Abnormal Finding II: Palpation and Auscultation
Palpation Findings
During a respiratory assessment, palpation can reveal several vital abnormalities:
Larynx
Anatomy of the Larynx
The larynx consists of various components, including cartilage, muscles, and vocal cords. Its structure includes three large unpaired cartilages—the thyroid, cricoid, and epiglottis—and three smaller paired cartilages—the arytenoids,...
Respiratory System Abnormal Finding I: Inspection and Percussion
Inspection Findings
During an inspection, several findings may suggest the presence of respiratory distress or disease. Pursed-lip breathing, where exhalation is slowed by...
Physical Assessment of the Respiratory Tract IV: Auscultation
Breath Sounds
Breath sounds are categorized into vesicular, bronchovesicular, and bronchial.
Atelectasis II: Pathophysiology
Language Development
The critical period for language acquisition suggests that the ability to acquire language is at its peak early in life. As people age, this proficiency decreases. Language development begins very...