Prevalence of voice disorders in African American and European American preschoolers

J Voice. 2004 Sep;18(3):348-53. doi: 10.1016/j.jvoice.2003.12.009.

Abstract

Several studies have reported prevalence rates for voice disorders in school-aged children. Less is known, however, about such prevalence in preschoolers, and whether racial, ethnic, or cultural diversity may influence it. The presence of voice disorders in a total of 2445 African-American and European-American preschool children, 1246 males and 1199 females, from 2 to 6 years of age is reported here. Presence of a voice disorder characterized by hoarseness was identified by a three-prong approach including teacher identification, investigator screening, and parent identification. Speech-language pathologists listened individually to each child's speech as they engaged each child in play-conversation activities. A voice disorder was identified on the basis of the judgment of two speech-language pathologists. Voice disorders characterized by hoarseness were identified in 95 children or 3.9% of the total sample by the investigators. Statistical analysis revealed no significant differences for age, gender, or race.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Black or African American / statistics & numerical data*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Cultural Diversity
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Prevalence
  • Voice Disorders / epidemiology*
  • Voice Disorders / ethnology
  • White People / statistics & numerical data*