Temporal processing, phonology and writing in lead-contaminated children

Purpose : analyze the impact of temporal auditory processing in writing and phonology of children with lead poisoning.Method : this study included 24 children, both genders, with a blood lead level equal or higher than 10μg/dL, without hearing impairment. Were assessments the spontaneous writing, immediate auditory memory, auditory discrimination, phonological awareness and auditory processing screening. Were assessments the spontaneous writing, immediate auditory memory, auditory discrimination, phonological awareness and auditory processing screening. Children were divided in two groups (GE – children with exchange of the consonant surd by sound in writing, GC – children without alterations in writing).Results : in GE, eight children (67%) had results abnormal in auditory discrimination and in PCF, the not expected performance in the AFT-R (subtest 1). In GC, only one child (8%) had results abnormal in auditory discrimination, and in PCF; the not expected performance in AFT-R (subtest 1). Fisher’s Exact Test indicated significant difference between groups in the skills of auditory memory and auditory discrimination.Conclusion : there was no significant difference between performances in screening of temporal auditory processing in the groups. Children contaminated by lead and alterations in writing had worst performance in tests of phonological awareness, auditory discrimination, auditory memory.