Jo Baker

• BSc (Hons) Speech and Language Sciences
• Early speech and language: A comparison of outcomes for children with cleft palate with and without Robin Sequence (RS)

Robin Sequence (RS) is a rare congenital condition causing abnormalities to the head and face, often co-occurring with cleft palate. Research focussing on speech and language outcomes for children with RS is limited; data suggests children with RS have poor long term outcomes. Further research is necessary for future case-management.

This project compared early speech and language outcomes in children with isolated cleft palate (ICP) to children with cleft palate and RS (CPRS). Children with CPRS were hypothesised to have poorer early language, articulation and nasality outcomes than children with ICP.

A retrospective case-note review was completed for 74 matched children with ICP and CPRS and group data was statistically analysed. Children with CPRS had significantly more severe articulation errors, partially confirming the hypothesis. However, language and nasality results were not significantly different and need further investigation. Overall, results suggest children with CPRS require more support than children with ICP.

Funding source: Newcastle University

Project supervisor: Dr Helen Stringer