Stuttering prevalence among patients at risk for velopharyngeal inadequacy: a preliminary investigation

The purpose of the present investigation was to provide preliminary information concerning the prevalence of stuttering among patients manifesting structural abnormalities of the velopharyngeal complex. Certain theoretical considerations suggested, a priori, that the prevalence of stuttering might be higher among these patients, although unsubstantiated clinical impressions indicated that the opposite was true. A retrospective study of 534 patients uncovered one individual whose speech was characterized by stuttering. This prevalence rate of 1.87 per 1,000 did not differ significantly from the 7 per 1,000 prevalence rate that would be expected in the general population. However, the lack of statistical significance may have resulted from the small sample size. Additional information from other craniofacial centers is needed to address this issue adequately. The theoretical implications of these initial findings are explored.