Palate Repair Timing Under Age 15 Months and Early Speech Outcomes

Is timing of primary palatoplasty before 15 months associated with passive cleft speech characteristics at 18 to 24 months or at 36 months?In this UK-based cohort study of 157 children aged 18 to 24 months and 174 children aged 36 months who received primary palatoplasty before age 15 months, passive cleft speech characteristics were observed in 19% and 17%, respectively. At age 36 months, later repair within the first 15 months was associated with a higher likelihood of passive speech characteristics.In this study, even small variations in palatoplasty timing before 15 months may be associated with increased risk of passive cleft speech characteristics by age 36 months, supporting early repair when medically appropriate.

Corresponding Author: Katelyn Kotlarek, PhD, Division of Communication Disorders, University of Wyoming, 1000 E University Ave, Dept 3311, Laramie, WY 82071 (kkotlare@uwyo.edu).

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