[Importance and usefulness of laryngological screening of the preschool children population in conductive hypoacusis diagnostics]

Otolaryngol Pol. 2005;59(5):737-41.
[Article in Polish]

Abstract

Introduction: Incidence of upper respiratory tract ailments among children between 2 and 9 years old is very common. Discreet symptoms, like low grade conductive hypoaccusis or articulation's disorders are ignore or imperceptible by parents. The survive of these disorders in the child's development stage has a direct influence on cognitive functions, speech and social development and progress in learning. The aim of the work was to prove the efficiency of laryngological screening among asymptomatic population of preschool children on the basis of comparison of two difference populations: for the first time examined (Szczecinek) and at regular intervals of one year (Wolsztyn).

Material and methods: In the town Szczecinek and in the town Wolsztyn laryngological screening among 1172 (762 and 410 respectively) children was carried out. All the participating individuals were fully laryngological examined and tested with tympanometric audiometry.

Results: On the base of these examinations in the town Wolsztyn the following was to state: 46 (11.2%) children were refered to surgical treatment. In this group in 31 (67.4%) pathological tympanometric curve b- and c- type were affirmed. 42 (10.2%) children were refered to conservative treatment. In the town Szczecinek 142 (18.6%) children were refered to surgical treatment. In this group in 81 (57%) pathological tympanometric curve b- and c- type were affirmed. 110 (14.4%) children were refered to conservative treatment.

Conclusions: (1) Usefulness of laryngological screening was confirm of the proportion of laryngological findings in the population of healthy seeming children refered to treatment. (2) The screening role is higher at rural area by low acsses to ENT consultants. Every year repeated screening influence population health, conscious approaching the ENT healthcare.

Publication types

  • English Abstract

MeSH terms

  • Acoustic Impedance Tests
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Comorbidity
  • Female
  • Hearing Loss, Conductive / diagnosis*
  • Hearing Loss, Conductive / epidemiology*
  • Hearing Loss, Conductive / prevention & control
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mass Screening
  • Otitis Media with Effusion / diagnosis
  • Otitis Media with Effusion / epidemiology*
  • Poland / epidemiology
  • Prevalence
  • Rural Population / statistics & numerical data