Epidemiological study of dysphonia in 4-12 year-old children

ABSTRACT: Children dysphonia studies have reported an incidence of 4.4 to 30.3%. GOALS: To establish the prevalence of dysphonia in children, based on the opinion of the parents, acoustic and vocal-perceptual assessments, associated symptoms, risk factors and videolaryngoscopy findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The parents from 2,000 children answered a questionnaire about the vocal quality of their children, and these children were submitted to perceptual vocal, acoustic and videolaryngoscopy assessments. RESULTS: We had 1,007 boys and 993 girls; sporadic symptoms were reported by 206 parents and permanent symptoms were reported by 123. In the perceptual assessment, the G parameter (degree of dysphonia) had a score of 0 in 694 voices; 1 in 1,065 and 2 in 228. There was f0 reduction with age and the remaining acoustic parameters were high in children with a G score of 2. Nodules, thickening and inflammation were the most common in the videolaryngoscopy exams. CONCLUSIONS: Parental judgment indicated a prevalence of dysphonia in 6.15%, and perceptual analysis yielded a value of 11.4%. Vocal symptoms were associated with a phonatory overload. sinonasal disorders, vocal abuse and noise were considered relevant risk factors. The acoustic analysis kept a direct association with the perceptual-auditory. Laryngeal lesions were found in the videolaryngoscopy exams, stressing nodules, thickening and inflammation.