Pediatric

Allergies

Allergies in children can manifest in various ways, including:

• Respiratory symptoms like sneezing, coughing, wheezing, and nasal congestion
• Skin reactions like eczema, hives, and itching

Common allergens for children include:

• Pollen
• Dust mites
• Pet dander
• Mold spores
• Certain foods
• Insect stings

Sinus

Children may experience sinusitis, an inflammation or infection of the sinuses, which can cause symptoms like:

• Nasal congestion
• Facial pain or pressure
• Cough
• Postnasal drip

Treatment options for pediatric sinusitis can vary depending on the severity and cause of the condition:

• Mild cases may be managed with nasal saline irrigation, decongestants, and nasal steroid sprays to reduce inflammation and promote drainage
• Antibiotics may be prescribed for bacterial sinus infections
• For chronic or recurrent sinusitis, especially if it's related to allergies or anatomical issues like enlarged adenoids or nasal polyps, a more comprehensive treatment plan may be needed

Sleep

Proper sleep is essential for a child's growth, development, and overall well-being, and any disruptions to sleep can significantly impact their health and quality of life.

Common sleep-related ENT issues in children include:

• Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA): This condition occurs when the airway becomes partially or completely blocked during sleep, leading to pauses in breathing, snoring, restless sleep, and daytime fatigue. OSA in children can be caused by enlarged tonsils and adenoids, deviated septum, nasal congestion, or craniofacial abnormalities.
• Snoring: While occasional snoring may be expected in children, persistent or loud snoring can indicate underlying issues such as nasal congestion, enlarged tonsils or adenoids, or a deviated septum, all of which can affect sleep quality.
• Chronic Nasal Congestion: Nasal congestion due to allergies, sinusitis, or structural abnormalities can lead to difficulty breathing through the nose, disrupted sleep, and mouth breathing, which may contribute to sleep problems.
• Recurrent Ear Infections: Chronic ear infections or fluid buildup in the middle ear (otitis media with effusion) can cause discomfort, ear pain, and disturbed sleep, especially if the child experiences frequent waking due to ear-related symptoms.

Pediatric ENT care for sleep involves a comprehensive evaluation by one of our specialists to identify the underlying causes of sleep disturbances. This evaluation may include:

• Thorough medical history and physical examination, including assessment of nasal airway, tonsils, adenoids, and ear health
• Diagnostic tests such as sleep studies (polysomnography) to assess sleep patterns, breathing, and oxygen levels during sleep
• Imaging studies (such as CT scans or MRIs) to evaluate the structure of the airway, sinuses, and ear anatomy

Head & Neck

Common conditions addressed in pediatric head & neck ENT care include:

• Congenital Anomalies: These are abnormalities present at birth, such as cleft lip and palate, neck masses (e.g., thyroglossal duct cysts, branchial cleft anomalies), choanal atresia, and craniofacial abnormalities (e.g., craniosynostosis, Pierre Robin sequence).
• Ear, Nose, and Throat Infections: Children can experience various infections affecting the ears (otitis media), nose (sinusitis, rhinitis), throat (tonsillitis, pharyngitis), and adjacent structures like the adenoids. Prompt diagnosis and appropriate management are essential to prevent complications and promote healing.
• Tumors and Lesions: Pediatric head & neck ENT care includes evaluating and managing benign and malignant tumors, growths, and lesions in the head and neck area, such as lymphadenopathy, salivary gland tumors, thyroid nodules, and soft tissue masses.
• Airway Disorders: Conditions like laryngomalacia, tracheomalacia, vocal cord paralysis, subglottic stenosis, and obstructive sleep apnea can affect the airway and breathing in children, requiring specialized evaluation and treatment.
• Voice and Swallowing Disorders: Our pediatric ENT specialists assess and manage voice disorders (dysphonia) and swallowing difficulties (dysphagia) in children, which may result from structural abnormalities, neurological conditions, or functional issues.
• Trauma and Injury: Evaluation and treatment of head and neck trauma, including facial fractures, lacerations, burns, and foreign body ingestions, are part of our pediatric head & neck ENT care to ensure proper healing and minimize complications.

Voice & Swallowing

Pediatric voice and swallowing ENT care focuses on evaluating, diagnosing, and managing disorders related to children's voice production (phonation) and swallowing (deglutition). These disorders can impact a child's communication, nutrition, and overall quality of life, requiring specialized assessment and treatment.

• Voice Disorders (Dysphonia): Dysphonia refers to abnormalities or changes in voice quality, pitch, loudness, or resonance. Pediatric voice disorders may result from various causes, including vocal cord nodules or polyps, vocal cord paralysis, laryngeal papillomatosis, vocal fold cysts, laryngitis, or misuse/overuse of the voice. Evaluation typically involves laryngoscopy (direct visualization of the vocal cords) and voice assessment to determine the underlying cause and develop appropriate management strategies.
• Swallowing Disorders (Dysphagia): Dysphagia refers to difficulties with swallowing, which can affect the oral, pharyngeal, or esophageal phases of swallowing. Pediatric swallowing disorders may arise from conditions such as anatomical abnormalities (e.g., cleft palate), neurological disorders (e.g., cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), structural issues (e.g., laryngeal cleft), or functional deficits. Evaluation typically involves a clinical swallowing assessment, modified barium swallow study (videofluoroscopy), or fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) to assess swallowing function, identify aspiration risk, and guide treatment recommendations.