NotesFAQContact Us
Collection
Advanced
Search Tips
Back to results
Peer reviewed Peer reviewed
Direct linkDirect link
ERIC Number: EJ872186
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2010-Jan
Pages: 6
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0012-1622
EISSN: N/A
Worster-Drought Syndrome: Poorly Recognized despite Severe and Persistent Difficulties with Feeding and Speech
Clark, Maria; Harris, Rebecca; Jolleff, Nicola; Price, Katie; Neville, Brian G. R.
Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, v52 n1 p27-32 Jan 2010
Aim: Worster-Drought syndrome (WDS), or congenital suprabulbar paresis, is a permanent movement disorder of the bulbar muscles causing persistent difficulties with swallowing, feeding, speech, and saliva control owing to a non-progressive disturbance in early brain development. As such, it falls within the cerebral palsies. The aim of this study was to describe the physical and neuropsychological profiles of children with WDS. Method: Forty-two children with WDS (26 males, 16 females; mean age 7y 10mo, SD 3y 1mo; range 2y 6mo to 16y 5mo) were studied prospectively using a standard protocol. Results: All of the children had severe bulbar dysfunction; 36 out of 42 had feeding difficulties and 23 of 38 had unintelligible speech, which was poorly compensated for by augmentative communication. There were accompanying disturbances in cognition (mean non-verbal IQ 59), behaviour (12/40 attention-deficit-hyperactivity disorder [ADHD]), social communication (8/42 autism), and epilepsy (12/39). The severity of bulbar dysfunction and impact of additional impairments made it difficult to use formal assessments. Interpretation: WDS causes severe and persistent bulbar dysfunction that is often accompanied by additional impairments, as in other cerebral palsies. Speech prognosis is particularly poor. Early diagnosis with appreciation of the underlying neurology would encourage critical evaluation of interventions and long-term planning to improve outcome.
Wiley-Blackwell. 350 Main Street, Malden, MA 02148. Tel: 800-835-6770; Tel: 781-388-8598; Fax: 781-388-8232; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A