Language and Oral-Motor Development and Disorders in Infants and Young Toddlers with Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Abstract

There are only a few studies on the preverbal and language development of infants and toddlers with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). However, the available literature indicates that HIV infection appears to compromise language development. No studies could be found on the oral-motor development of such children. This article reviews current research on the preverbal and language development of children with HIV from birth to 3 years of age and provides recommendations for future research. Information on several virus-related pathologies that can interfere with oral-motor integrity and development is also presented. Proper intervention to remediate language disorders and support oral-motor development of these children requires their comprehensive assessment, and a dynamic assessment strategy is recommended.

Swallowing Difficulties Reported by Adults Infected with HIV/AIDS Attending a Hospital Outpatient Clinic in Gauteng, South Africa

“…Swallowing impairments occur in all age groups with the elderly representing one of the largest groups [17,18] . Individuals under 18 were not included as the presentation of the virus has been found to be different in adults when compared to children [19] , and the focus of the study was on the adult population.…”

Incidence and description of dysphagia in infants and toddlers with tracheostomies: A retrospective review

“…Considering that the effects of the tracheostomy tube are expected to have the greatest impact on the pharyngeal phase of swallowing [3,4] these results may indicate that the underlying medical condition and associated risk factors in this particular population in the South African context, such as a history of prematurity and low birth weight [12], long-term non-oral feedings [8] and associated medical conditions, such as gastro-oesophageal reflux [7,29] and HIV and AIDS [34,35], play an additional role in the dysphagia experienced by infants and toddlers with tracheostomies. Despite the higher incidence of oral and oesophageal phase dysphagia, aspiration was documented in 25% of the participants, reinforcing the need for comprehensive assessment and management of the swallowing of infants and toddlers with tracheostomies.…”

The motor development of 2 to 6-year old children infected with HIV

“…In children, HIV is characterised by a variety of developmental deficiencies. Researchers indicate that children with HIV exhibit neurodevelopmental, cognitive, motor and nutritional deficiencies (Wolters et al, 1995;Msellati et al, 1993;Davis-McFarland, 2000;Blanchette et al, 2001;Wachsler-Felder & Golden, 2002) as well as changes in their immune and central nervous system (Lindsey et al, 2000). The incidence of neurological deficiencies in HIV children is estimated to be between 30-90% (Bode & Rudin, 1995).…”

“…In this regard research confirms statistically significant differences pertaining to cognitive and motor development of children infected with HIV compared to those of healthy children (Blanchette et al, 2001). The central nervous system of HIV children is influenced to a larger extent than the peripheral nervous system, which is influenced more in adults (Davis-McFarland, 2000). This causes the virus to be more prominent in the developing nervous system of a child, which, in turn, results in the deficiencies in developmental milestones (Davis-McFarland, 2000;Blanchette et al, 2001;Wachsler-Felder & Golden, 2002).…”

“…The central nervous system of HIV children is influenced to a larger extent than the peripheral nervous system, which is influenced more in adults (Davis-McFarland, 2000). This causes the virus to be more prominent in the developing nervous system of a child, which, in turn, results in the deficiencies in developmental milestones (Davis-McFarland, 2000;Blanchette et al, 2001;Wachsler-Felder & Golden, 2002). Motor developmental deficiencies are mainly the result of gross motor deficiencies rather than of fine motor deficiencies (Msellati et al, 1993;Parks & Danoff, 1999).…”