Comparison of Speech Motor Function, Articulation, and Phonological Characteristics of Children with and without Palatine Tonsil Hypertrophy: A Follow-Up 7 Months after Tonsillectomy

Abstract

In a previous study, the diadochokinesis (DDK) and the percentage of consonants correct (PCC) of children with palatine tonsil hypertrophy (TH) were significantly lower than those of typically developing children (TD), and the number of children who produced phonological processes (PP) was significantly higher in TH than in TD. And there were no significant changes in PCC and PP at 6 weeks after tonsillectomy. So, the purpose of this study was to compare the values (DDK, PCC, PP) in children 7 months after tonsillectomy (AT) and TD. Methods: Twenty-seven AT and 29 TD were measured for DDK and the Assessment of Phonology and Articulation for Children (APAC). An independent t-test and χ 2-test were conducted to determine whether there were significant differences between the groups. Three children who had lower PCC than their peer group were given individual speech therapy. Results: There were no significant differences in DDK, PCC, and PP between AT and TD. Except for one child, the children improved in PCC and PP after speech therapy. Conclusion: The results suggested that AT can catch up with TD. But there were individual differences in improvement of PCC and PP at 7 months after tonsillectomy and after speech therapy. It is necessary for a follow-up study to examine the timing of tonsillectomy and necessity of speech therapy after tonsillectomy.