Abstract
Developmental language disorder (DLD) is frequently associated with other developmental diseases and may lead to a handicap through adolescence or adulthood. The aim of our retrospective study was to characterize DLD subgroups, their etiological factors and clinical comorbidities, and the role of epileptiform discharges in wake and sleep recordings. Fifty-five children (42 male, mean age 6.2 ± 1.4 years, range 4–9 years) were included in the present study and underwent phoniatric, psychologic, neurologic, as well as wake and nocturnal electroencephalography (EEG) or polysomnography (PSG) examinations. A receptive form of DLD was determined in 34 children (63.0%), and an expressive form was found in 20 children (37.0%). Poor cooperation in one child did not permit exact classification. DLD children with the receptive form had significantly lower mean phonemic hearing (79.1% ± 10.9) in comparison with those with the expressive form (89.7% ± 6.2, p < 0.001). A high amount of perinatal risk factors was found in both groups (50.9%) as well as comorbid developmental diseases. Developmental motor coordination disorder was diagnosed in 33 children (61.1%), and attention deficit or hyperactivity disorder was diagnosed in 39 children (70.9%). Almost one half of DLD children (49.1%) showed abnormalities on the wake EEG; epileptiform discharges were found in 20 children (36.4%). Nocturnal EEG and PSG recordings showed enhanced epileptiform discharges, and they were found in 30 children (55.6%, p = 0.01). The wake EEG showed focal discharges predominantly in the temporal or temporo-parieto-occipital regions bilaterally, while in the sleep recordings, focal activity was shifted to the fronto-temporo-central areas (p < 0.001). Almost all epileptiform discharges appeared in non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. A close connection was found between DLD and perinatal risk factors, as well as neurodevelopmental disorders. Epileptiform discharges showed an enhancement in nocturnal sleep, and the distribution of focal discharges changed.
Highlights
Developmental language disorder (DLD), previously termed specific language impairment (SLI), is a common developmental disorder that affects approximately 7% of preschool-aged children [1]
Almost all epileptiform discharges appeared in non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep
The receptive form of DLD was classified in 34 children (63%), while the expressive form was found less frequently in 20 children (37%)
Summary
Developmental language disorder (DLD), previously termed specific language impairment (SLI), is a common developmental disorder that affects approximately 7% of preschool-aged children [1]. Brain Sci. 2020, 10, 910 cause and can be divided into two main types: receptive–expressive (with a predominant receptive component) and expressive. At the heart of receptive DLD is disordered auditory perception [2]. The typical clinical picture of DLD includes delayed speech-language development with specific disorders within the brain’s structures. The distinctive features of phonemes and disorders are in the sequential arrangement of syllables (transpositions and reductions) in the receptive type, and problems with grammar (word categories and syntax) and semantic and association language functions in expressive type. Problems with perception are so conspicuous that the child appears to have a hearing disorder, as they do not understand common conversation and elicit the impression of disorientation [3,4]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
