Abstract
Objective: 1) Establish the first comprehensive pediatric normative database for diadochokinetic rates (DDK) using the Voice Evaluation Suite, a computerized voice analysis program. 2) Analyze normal DDK rates for age and gender differences.
Method: Observational design analyzing DDK rates on 335 children ages 4 to 18 years with normal voices. Data was collected over a 6-month period from July to December 2010 in a pediatric otolaryngology clinic. Main outcome measures included age, gender, Pediatric Voice Related Quality of Life screening, and DDK rates.
Results: The mean DDK rates of each age and gender are presented. There was no statistically significant difference between boys and girls of the same age (P < .05). There was a statistically significant difference in children ages 4 to 11 years when compared with children ages 12 to 18 years (P < .001).
Conclusion: Pediatric DDK rate is similar between boys and girls of the same age. Faster DDK rates are seen in children over 12 years of age, regardless of gender, when compared with those children younger than 12 years. The normative data presented represents the most comprehensive DDK database in the English language.
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