الفهرس 
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Abstract
Language is the highest form of communication, in which a message is encoded using a prearranged symbolic program that links sound to meaning. Language disorders are defined as children whose language abilities (comprehension or expression) are ”substantially and quantifiably” below age expectations.
A childhood chronic illness (such as diabetes, kidney disease, or asthma) could seriously hinder normal growth. Children with chronic medical conditions may have delayed neurocognitive development with subsequent language disorders.
Chronic disease has the potential to have a significant impact on a child’s developmental trajectory if it occurs in infancy, as early childhood is a time of rapid development for the cognitive, linguistic, emotional, social, and behavioral skills needed for future academic achievement.
By addressing language disorders before children enter school, early therapy can be started before these problems influence formal education and behavioral adjustment.
The aim of this study was to gather baseline information on the prevalence and distribution of language disorders in children with chronic illnesses in order to develop a plan for early identification, accurate evaluation, and intervention to manage these disorders if possible.
In this study, 175 children with and without chronic illnesses, aged from 2 to 7 years and 5 months, participated. The (study group) included 150 children diagnosed with different chronic illnesses (hematological, cardiac, CKD, asthma, DM and hypothyroidism) with 25 children in each of the six chronic illnesses. And the (control group) comprised of 25 children without any chronic illness.
The children in this study were subjected to the protocol of language assessment which applied in the Phoniatrics Unit, Minia University Hospital; Elementary diagnostic procedures: (patient interview, general examination, vocal tract examination, neurological examination and ENT examination). Clinical diagnostic aids: (Evaluation of the various aptitudes by formal testing, psychiatric evaluation, audiological examination and language evaluation by using the Arabic Preschool Language Scale 4 ”APLS 4”).
This study’s results revealed the following:
• For hematological diseases, there were statistically significant differences between the study and control groups as regarding the IQ, standard scores of receptive and total language. There were 11 (44%) of children with blood diseases had DLD due to below average mentality.
• For cardiac diseases, there were statistically significant differences between the study and control groups as regarding the IQ, standard scores of receptive, expressive and total language. There were 14 (56 %) of children with cardiac diseases had language disorders (48% DLD below average, and 8% MR)
• For renal diseases, there were statistically significant differences between the study and control groups as regarding the IQ, standard scores of receptive and total language. There were 11 (44%) of children with renal diseases had DLD due to below average mentality.
• For asthma, there were statistically significant differences between the study and control groups as regard the standard scores of receptive, expressive and total language. However, non statistical significant difference was obtained between the two groups regarding IQ. There were 14 (56%) of children with asthma had language disorders (36% SLI, and 20% DLD below average).
• For DM, There were statistically significant differences between the study and the control groups as regard IQ, standard scores of receptive and total language. There were 11 (44%) of children with DM had DLD below average.
• For hypothyroidism, there were non statistical significant differences between the study and control groups regarding IQ, standard scores of receptive, expressive and total language. There were 14 (56%) of children with hypothyroidism had language disorders (36% DLD below average, and 20% SLI).
• Finally, regarding factors predict receptive and total language disorders, it was found that the most risk factor is low birth weight, followed by the presence of chronic disease, followed by artificial feeding, and followed lastly by delayed age of first word utterance. While, regarding factors predict expressive language disorders, it was found that the most risk factor is the presence of chronic illness.