Abstract

OBJECTIVE:The aim of this research was to compare language development (expressive and receptive skills) in children awaiting liver transplantation with that of children who have already undergone the surgical procedure.METHODS:An observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted with 76 children divided into groups, as follows: 31 children who were candidates for liver transplantation (Group 1; G1), 45 children who had already undergone liver transplantation (Group 2; G2), and a control group (CG) of 60 healthy, normally developing children. Health status information was gathered, and the Test of Early Language Development (TELD)-3 was used to assess language skills. Family household monthly income data were also gathered using a specific questionnaire.RESULTS:G1 had poorer language performance compared with G2 and the CG. G2 had lower language performance when compared with the CG. However, when considering the TELD-3 standard scores, G2 had scores within normal limits. The regression analysis indicated age as a risk factor for language deficits in Group 1 and family income as a risk factor for language deficits in G2.CONCLUSIONS:The results suggested that children with chronic liver disease have delays in language development. Transplanted children have linguistic performance within normal limits, but their scores tended to be lower than the CG.

Highlights

  • Worldwide, the liver is the second most commonly transplanted major organ

  • Our results indicated a delay in language development for children who were candidates for liver transplantation compared with a group of children who had already been transplanted and to a control group of healthy individuals

  • Concerning language receptive abilities, our results demonstrated that the groups differed in performance, indicating that the children in Group 1 (G1) and Group 2 (G2) had difficulties in language comprehension

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Summary

Introduction

The liver is the second most commonly transplanted major organ. Liver transplantation aims to restore health conditions in patients with end-stage liver diseases. It is an effective treatment with a survival rate of approximately 80% at five years after the procedure [1]. Since 2008, the number of liver transplantation has increased considerably in Brazil. In 2013, Brazil performed the second highest number of liver transplants out of 30 countries, reaching a total number of 1,723 procedures.

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