구개열 아동의 표현어휘지연 및 보상조음 출현율: 2세 아동을 대상으로

Prevalence of Expressive Vocabulary Delay and Compensatory Articulation in 2-Year-Old Children with Cleft Palate

Objective: This study examined the prevalence of expressive vocabulary delay and compensatory articulation in Korean-speaking children with cleft palate from early to late two years of age (24 to 35 months). Materials and Methods: Forty-nine children were followed longitudinally, with speech and language assessments conducted at 6-month intervals, allowing for the tracking of developmental changes over time. Additionally, the study explored how the prevalence rates of expressive vocabulary delay and compensatory articulation varied across different cleft palate types. Results: Results showed that approximately 45% of children with cleft palate had expressive vocabulary delay in early two years, which decreased to 32% by late two years, indicating developmental progress. In contrast, compensatory articulation was observed in 57-59% of the children, with little change between the two time points. The highest rates of both expressive vocabulary delay and compensatory articulation were observed in children with bilateral cleft lip and palate. Conclusion: This study underscores the importance of monitoring speech and language development in children with cleft palate during the critical period of early vocabulary expansion and provides a foundation for early, targeted intervention.