Distinctive pattern of serum trace elements and vitamin D levels in adolescents who stutter

Abstract

Abstract Objectives This study aims to investigate the potential effects of serum trace elements and vitamin D levels on cognitive capacity and stuttering symptoms in adolescents. So, we will determine the serum levels of Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), Selenium (Se), copper (Cu), and zinc (Zn), vitamin D levels, and cognitive capacity scores and their association with the severity of stuttering scores among adolescences aged 10–18 years’ old. Methods The study included 100 adolescence aged 10–18 years’ old. Stuttering severity, cognitive capacity, as well as vitamin D levels, and serum trace elements were identified using stuttering severity instrument (SSI-4; 4th edit.), the LOTCA-7 scores, immunoassay system, and spectrophotometer analysis respectively. Results the results showed that stuttering was identified in 60% of the participants they were classified into students with mild (n = 30; 19.6 mean) and moderate stuttering (28.7 mean, n = 30) respectively. Only 40% of the students had a total stuttering score within normal range with 11.6 mean stuttering score. Obesity related markers such as BMI, WHR showed significant association with the severity of stuttering compared to normal controls. In addition, the decline in cognitive capacity showed to be significantly increased in adolescences in association with mild to moderate stuttering as well. Also, serum trace elements (Fe, Mn, Se, Cu, Zn, Cu/Zn ratio) and vitamin D levels as biochemical parameters were significantly reduced in adolescences with mild to moderated stuttering than normal subjects. The reduction is closely increased in correlation with an increment in the severity of stuttering. Males showed comparable results than females of the same group signifying that gender could play a role in the stuttering severity as differences in vitamin D, serum trace element contents in the serum of both gender. Conclusion This study found significant associations between the severity of stuttering, trace elements, vitamin D deficiencies, and cognitive function in adolescents. Both deficiencies of trace elements and vitamin D along with cognitive impairment may potentially be more helpful and preventable causes of stuttering among school students aged 12–18 years. The studied parameters could be of diagnostic potential and helpful in the treatment of stuttering. However, deeper knowledge of mechanisms is needed in order to draw policy conclusions and public health guidelines to determine the roles of serum trace elements and vitamin D levels in the pathogenesis of stuttering.