Middle Ear Disorders in Children with Down Syndrome: The Detrimental Effect on Speech and Language Development

<b>Objectives</b>: Our aim was to determine the prevalence of middle ear disorders and associated risk factors that contribute to speech and language developmental delays in children with Down Syndrome. <b>Methods</b>: A prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted in 70...

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Main Authors: Ariel Tenenbaum, Avraham Ben Yaakov, Yair Peled, Malena Cohen-Cymberknoh, Diana Averbuch, Ronit Brodie, Menachem Gross
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Children
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/5/558
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author Ariel Tenenbaum
Avraham Ben Yaakov
Yair Peled
Malena Cohen-Cymberknoh
Diana Averbuch
Ronit Brodie
Menachem Gross
author_facet Ariel Tenenbaum
Avraham Ben Yaakov
Yair Peled
Malena Cohen-Cymberknoh
Diana Averbuch
Ronit Brodie
Menachem Gross
author_sort Ariel Tenenbaum
collection DOAJ
description <b>Objectives</b>: Our aim was to determine the prevalence of middle ear disorders and associated risk factors that contribute to speech and language developmental delays in children with Down Syndrome. <b>Methods</b>: A prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted in 70 children with Down Syndrome between the ages of 1 and 18. Data, including complete physical and otorhinolaryngological examinations, hearing tests, and evaluation of speech and language skills, was compared to a historic typical control group. <b>Results</b>: Recurrent otitis media was significantly higher in the study group (56.5%) compared to the control (26%) (<i>p</i> = 0.05). The rate of conductive hearing loss was significantly higher in the study group (71.2%) compared to the control (14.9%) (<i>p</i> = 0.0001). Conductive hearing loss was statistically associated with delayed speech development (<i>p</i> = 0.046). <b>Conclusions</b>: Middle ear disorders are common in children with Down Syndrome and are associated with conductive hearing loss and delay of speech and language development. This study emphasizes the importance of routine examination of this population by an Otorhinolaryngologist and speech therapist.
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spelling doaj-art-84ca5c8ff1d94c95b32aad294f37c8802025-08-20T02:33:42ZengMDPI AGChildren2227-90672025-04-0112555810.3390/children12050558Middle Ear Disorders in Children with Down Syndrome: The Detrimental Effect on Speech and Language DevelopmentAriel Tenenbaum0Avraham Ben Yaakov1Yair Peled2Malena Cohen-Cymberknoh3Diana Averbuch4Ronit Brodie5Menachem Gross6Department of Pediatrics, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem 91120, IsraelDepartment of Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem 91120, IsraelDepartment of Pediatrics, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem 91120, IsraelDepartment of Pediatrics, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem 91120, IsraelDepartment of Pediatrics, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem 91120, IsraelDepartment of Surgery, Hadassah-Hebrew University Medical Center, Jerusalem 91120, IsraelSchool of Medicine, Hebrew–University, Jerusalem 91120, Israel<b>Objectives</b>: Our aim was to determine the prevalence of middle ear disorders and associated risk factors that contribute to speech and language developmental delays in children with Down Syndrome. <b>Methods</b>: A prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted in 70 children with Down Syndrome between the ages of 1 and 18. Data, including complete physical and otorhinolaryngological examinations, hearing tests, and evaluation of speech and language skills, was compared to a historic typical control group. <b>Results</b>: Recurrent otitis media was significantly higher in the study group (56.5%) compared to the control (26%) (<i>p</i> = 0.05). The rate of conductive hearing loss was significantly higher in the study group (71.2%) compared to the control (14.9%) (<i>p</i> = 0.0001). Conductive hearing loss was statistically associated with delayed speech development (<i>p</i> = 0.046). <b>Conclusions</b>: Middle ear disorders are common in children with Down Syndrome and are associated with conductive hearing loss and delay of speech and language development. This study emphasizes the importance of routine examination of this population by an Otorhinolaryngologist and speech therapist.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/5/558down syndromeotitis mediahearing lossspeech developmentmiddle eardevelopmental delay
spellingShingle Ariel Tenenbaum
Avraham Ben Yaakov
Yair Peled
Malena Cohen-Cymberknoh
Diana Averbuch
Ronit Brodie
Menachem Gross
Middle Ear Disorders in Children with Down Syndrome: The Detrimental Effect on Speech and Language Development
Children
down syndrome
otitis media
hearing loss
speech development
middle ear
developmental delay
title Middle Ear Disorders in Children with Down Syndrome: The Detrimental Effect on Speech and Language Development
title_full Middle Ear Disorders in Children with Down Syndrome: The Detrimental Effect on Speech and Language Development
title_fullStr Middle Ear Disorders in Children with Down Syndrome: The Detrimental Effect on Speech and Language Development
title_full_unstemmed Middle Ear Disorders in Children with Down Syndrome: The Detrimental Effect on Speech and Language Development
title_short Middle Ear Disorders in Children with Down Syndrome: The Detrimental Effect on Speech and Language Development
title_sort middle ear disorders in children with down syndrome the detrimental effect on speech and language development
topic down syndrome
otitis media
hearing loss
speech development
middle ear
developmental delay
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/12/5/558
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