Streptococcal Serology in Children With Stuttering

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Neurology
• Immunology
• Speech-Language Pathology

Background:

• Stuttering is a speech disorder characterized by disruptions in fluency.
• Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infection (PANDAS) are linked to Group A beta-hemolytic Streptococcus (GABHS).
• Previous reports suggest a connection between PANDAS and stuttering, noting shared features with Tourette syndrome.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between streptococcal serology and stuttering in children.
• To determine if elevated antistreptococcal antibodies are present in children who stutter (CWS).

Main Methods:

• Serum samples were analyzed from 26 children who stutter and 25 children who do not stutter, matched for age and gender.
• Key antistreptococcal antibodies measured included antistreptolysin O (ASO), anti-deoxyribonuclease B (anti-DNase B), and antistreptokinase.
• Statistical analysis compared antibody levels between the stuttering and non-stuttering groups.

Main Results:

• Children who stutter exhibited significantly higher levels of ASO, anti-DNase B, and antistreptokinase compared to children who do not stutter (P < .0001 for all).
• These findings indicate a heightened immune response to GABHS in children with stuttering.

Conclusions:

• Elevated serum antistreptococcal antibodies in CWS suggest a potential autoimmune etiology related to GABHS.
• Clinical evaluation for autoimmune responses, particularly to GABHS, is warranted for children experiencing stuttering.