Mapping of Pediatric Voice Handicap Index into ICF format for the Assessment of Voice Disorders in Children

Abstract

VHI and pediatric VHI (pVHI) measure the impact of dysphonia on emotional, physical and functional aspects of children and not on functioning of the individual in activity and participation in daily life. Functioning is measured by WHO’s International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health and ICF-CY. The present study attempts to compare pediatric voice problems according to pVHI quantification system and pVHI mapped on ICF format. Responses of parents of 20 dysphonic children were sought on both the original and ICF-CY mapped pVHI. Percentages were calculated and compared for each question. With original pVHI - total scores obtained categorized children as mild, severe and moderate handicap. With ICF-CY mapped pVHI- it was observed that though child has mild handicap 17% of activities of daily living were affected almost always due to his voice problem. Similarly, for children with moderate and severe handicap, varying degrees of limitations in activities and participation is observed. Differences in the assessment of the children with original pVHI and ICF mapped pVHI are observed especially in domains of activity limitation and participation restriction.