Abstract
Objective
To validate Language Evaluation Scale Trivandrum (LEST) 0 – 3 y against the reference standard, Receptive Expressive Emergent Language Scale (REELS) in a population of children attending CDC developmental evaluation clinic 0 – 3 y.
Methods
All the children clinically diagnosed as having speech and language problem in the developmental evaluation clinic of CDC Kerala over a period of 3 y were assessed using LEST (0-3) by trained developmental therapist and REELS by a speech therapist, both blind to the results of each other.
Results
Out of a total of 761 children between 0-3 y diagnosed as having speech problems by a Developmental Pediatrician in the developmental evaluation clinic (0 – 3 y) of CDC Kerala, both LEST and REELS could be administered among 679 children. The screening tool LEST 0-3 had a high sensitivity (84.4%), specificity (80.3%), Positive Predictive Value (PPV) (91.5%), Negative Predictive Value (NPV) (67.1%) and accuracy (83.2%) against the reference standard REELS.
Conclusions
The observation of this study that LEST 0-3 had a high sensitivity, specificity and accuracy against REELS, suggest that in a developmental / speech evaluation clinic LEST could be effectively used in resource poor settings.
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Acknowledgments
The authors gratefully acknowledge the cooperation and support received from staff of Child Development Centre, Kerala, specially Dr.G. Suresh Kumar, Registrar; Ms. Deepa NR, PS to Director; Mr. Asokan N, PA to Director; Ms. Suja S, Junior Programmer; CDC, Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, in conduction of this study.
Conflict of Interest
None.
Source of Funding
This study is supported by Child Development Centre, Thiruvananthapuram.
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Nair, M.K.C., Mini, A.O., Bhaskaran, D. et al. CDC Kerala 6: Validation of Language Evaluation Scale Trivandrum (0–3 y) Against Receptive Expressive Emergent Language Scale in a Developmental Evaluation Clinic Population. Indian J Pediatr 81 (Suppl 2), 99–101 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-014-1502-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12098-014-1502-8