Characteristics of Down Syndrome Children with Delayed Speech and Hearing Loss in Audiology Clinic, Dr. Soetomo Surabaya Hospital

Abstract

Background: Down syndrome is a pathologyrelated to trisomy 21 chromosome. The incidence of Down

syndrome is approximately 1/1000 births in some countries. The syndrome is commonly associated with the

risks of developmental delays, difficulties in speech and hearing loss.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence and characteristics ofchildren with Down syndrome suffered from

delayed speech and hearing loss in Audiology Clinic, Dr. Soetomo Hospital, Surabaya from January 2013-

December 2017.Method: This study is an observational analysis with cross-sectional retrospective design

onthe patient’s medical record.

Results: Thirty patients were diagnosed with delayed speech amongst the Down syndrome children; 19

(63.3%) were males; 11(36.7%) were females. The most frequent was in the age group of >1-2 years[8

patients (26.7%)]; the least was in the age group of 4-6 months [1 patient (3.3%)]. Hearing loss was found

in 21 patients (70%) and the rest had normal hearing [9 patients, (30%)]. Amongst the first group, 1 patient

(3.3%) had profound hearing loss, 8 patients (26.7%) had severe hearing loss, 11 patients (36.7%) had

moderate hearing loss and 1 patient (3.3%) had mild hearing loss. Two patients (6.7%) had prenatal problem,

2 patients (6.7%) had natal problem, 7 patients (23.3%) had post-natal problem. Amongst these, 1 patient

(3,3%) had prenatal and natal problems, 5 patients (16,7%) had natal and post-natal problems, 1 patient

(3,3%) had prenatal and post-natal problems, 3 patients (10%) had prenatal, natal and post-natal problems,

and the rests had no recorded problems.

Conclusion: Hearing loss was prevalent in Down Syndrome children with delayed speech. This might be

correlated to the prenatal, natal, post-natal health risk problems. The hearing loss should be considered

during treatment of speech delay in Down Syndrome children.