Fidan T, Ceyhan S, Fidan V. Streptococcal Serology in Children With Stuttering.
Ear, Nose & Throat Journal. 2024;104(8):513-515. April 19, 2024. doi:
10.1177/01455613241244946
- Case–control study compared 26 children who stutter with 25 matched controls
- Measured antistreptococcal antibodies (ASO, anti-DNase B, antistreptokinase)
- Children who stutter had significantly higher antibody titers across all markers (p < 0.0001)
- Positive ASO: 77% in stuttering group vs 16% in controls
- Positive anti-DNase B: 81% vs 12%
- Positive antistreptokinase: 35% vs 8%
- Findings suggest a post-streptococcal immune mechanism may contribute to stuttering
- Authors propose stuttering may overlap with PANDAS-related neuroimmune pathways
- Highlights potential links between stuttering, Tourette syndrome, and basal ganglia involvement
- Recommends considering streptococcal evaluation in selected pediatric stuttering cases
