Pediatric ENT Disorders
Airway Disorders
Pediatric ENTs will examine your child’s symptoms, medical history, and physical examination to diagnose the underlying problem. If stridor is identified as the primary diagnosis, an asthma specialist will be contacted to help manage any respiratory issues with medications. For any other diagnoses, pediatric ENT specialists will work with specialists in other fields, like pulmonary medicine and otolaryngology, in order to provide care that addresses the cause.
Tracheomalacia
Tracheomalacia is a condition that affects infants in which the trachea, or windpipe, collapses. Tracheomalacia can be present at birth, or it may develop later. It occurs when the cartilage in the trachea does not form properly and, therefore, cannot support itself. This results in a softer part of the trachea that causes it to collapse when pressure is applied.
When pressure is applied to a weakened tracheal wall, it collapses, making it difficult for air to travel into and out of an infant’s lungs. Without proper breathing, infants may develop respiratory distress, which can be life-threatening. Symptoms may include nasal flaring, retractions, grunting, nasal twang when crying, or stridor at rest. There are several different medical treatments for tracheomalacia, including medications to relax muscles and open up airways and surgeries in severe cases.
Many different conditions can cause a child to have trouble breathing. Stridor is one of these conditions, and it is most commonly caused by the upper airway being inflamed. This inflammation can swell the airway, narrowing the passage for air to travel through and making it difficult for your child to breathe.
Stridor can also be caused by vocal cord dysfunction or laryngeal problems. If your child has stridor, a pediatric ENT specialist can perform an endoscopy to examine your child’s upper airway and vocal cords. This procedure is painless and can provide information about what is causing your child’s breathing issues. They will be able to determine if inflamed tissue or any other abnormalities are affecting your child’s ability to breathe.
Laryngomalacia
Laryngomalacia is an airway disorder that affects children. With Laryngomalacia, the larynx is abnormally soft and floppy, which leads to chronic or recurrent episodes of airway obstruction. A pediatric ENT will perform a physical exam on your child to identify symptoms and signs. The doctor will also take your medical history to rule out other disorders with similar symptoms. Some children with milder cases of Laryngomalacia might not need treatment at all; however, those who do require surgery called supraglottoplasty.
Your pediatric ENT will perform a surgical supraglottoplasty to tighten and stiffen your child’s larynx and airway. Surgery is only recommended in extreme cases of Laryngomalacia.
Many different conditions can cause a child to have trouble breathing. Stridor is one of these conditions, and it is most commonly caused by the upper airway being inflamed. This inflammation can swell the airway, narrowing the passage for air to travel through and making it difficult for your child to breathe.
Stridor can also be caused by vocal cord dysfunction or laryngeal problems. If your child has stridor, a pediatric ENT specialist can perform an endoscopy to examine your child’s upper airway and vocal cords. This procedure is painless and can provide information about what is causing your child’s breathing issues. They will be able to determine if inflamed tissue or any other abnormalities are affecting your child’s ability to breathe.
Tracheostomy
A tracheostomy is a surgical procedure that creates an opening in the neck to provide an alternate airway. The goal of this procedure is to allow air to go through the tracheostomy tube, bypassing the mouth and nose when breathing becomes difficult or impossible. A tracheostomy is performed when there are:
- An obstruction in your upper airway
- Difficulty swallowing
- Trouble breathing
- Mechanical ventilation is needed
The tracheostomy procedure is performed by a pediatric otolaryngologist (ENT doctor). This physician specializes in the surgery of both children and adults. The goal is to create an opening in your child’s windpipe, or trachea, to help with breathing.
Many different conditions can cause a child to have trouble breathing. Stridor is one of these conditions, and it is most commonly caused by the upper airway being inflamed. This inflammation can swell the airway, narrowing the passage for air to travel through and making it difficult for your child to breathe.
Stridor can also be caused by vocal cord dysfunction or laryngeal problems. If your child has stridor, a pediatric ENT specialist can perform an endoscopy to examine your child’s upper airway and vocal cords. This procedure is painless and can provide information about what is causing your child’s breathing issues. They will be able to determine if inflamed tissue or any other abnormalities are affecting your child’s ability to breathe.
Stridor
The word stridor is a medical term used to describe a high-pitched sound that occurs when there’s an obstruction in the throat or upper airway. Stridor can be either inspiratory (sounding like a snore) or expiratory (sounding like a croupy cough). The duration, loudness, and pitch of the stridor are all important factors to consider when evaluating what might be causing the obstruction.
Stridor can be caused by a variety of problems in young children, including croup, epiglottitis, and foreign-body airway obstruction. Stridor will often worsen when your child is sitting up or leaning forward because of decreased airflow through their windpipe. Pediatric ENTs can help identify which type of stridor it is so they can appropriately treat it and provide relief for your child. If you notice any symptoms, please contact your pediatrician immediately.
Many different conditions can cause a child to have trouble breathing. Stridor is one of these conditions, and it is most commonly caused by the upper airway being inflamed. This inflammation can swell the airway, narrowing the passage for air to travel through and making it difficult for your child to breathe.
Stridor can also be caused by vocal cord dysfunction or laryngeal problems. If your child has stridor, a pediatric ENT specialist can perform an endoscopy to examine your child’s upper airway and vocal cords. This procedure is painless and can provide information about what is causing your child’s breathing issues. They will be able to determine if inflamed tissue or any other abnormalities are affecting your child’s ability to breathe.
Croupe
Croup is a viral infection that causes swelling in the airway, leading to difficulty breathing. It usually starts in the neck and can lead to wheezing, barking, coughs, and stridor (a high-pitched sound caused by turbulent airflow). If you have croup, symptoms may go away within a week or two. However, they may also worsen. If this happens, talk with your doctor about medications such as dexamethasone or a bronchodilator such as epinephrine.
Pediatric ENTs are experts at diagnosing children’s ear, nose, and throat problems, so if you suspect any croup-like symptoms, it’s best to get it checked out sooner rather than later.
Many different conditions can cause a child to have trouble breathing. Stridor is one of these conditions, and it is most commonly caused by the upper airway being inflamed. This inflammation can swell the airway, narrowing the passage for air to travel through and making it difficult for your child to breathe.
Stridor can also be caused by vocal cord dysfunction or laryngeal problems. If your child has stridor, a pediatric ENT specialist can perform an endoscopy to examine your child’s upper airway and vocal cords. This procedure is painless and can provide information about what is causing your child’s breathing issues. They will be able to determine if inflamed tissue or any other abnormalities are affecting your child’s ability to breathe.
Chronic Cough
The majority of pediatric cases of chronic cough are caused by asthma, allergy, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or postnasal drip. Asthma is a chronic condition that can cause recurrent coughing and wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing. Allergy sufferers may experience sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes and throat.
Diagnosing children with these conditions requires examination and consultation with a specialist. Once diagnosed, a pediatric ENT will work closely with the parents to create an individualized treatment plan for their child. They might prescribe medication to control the allergic reaction, offer tips for treating GERD at home, and provide information about managing asthma at school.
Many different conditions can cause a child to have trouble breathing. Stridor is one of these conditions, and it is most commonly caused by the upper airway being inflamed. This inflammation can swell the airway, narrowing the passage for air to travel through and making it difficult for your child to breathe.
Stridor can also be caused by vocal cord dysfunction or laryngeal problems. If your child has stridor, a pediatric ENT specialist can perform an endoscopy to examine your child’s upper airway and vocal cords. This procedure is painless and can provide information about what is causing your child’s breathing issues. They will be able to determine if inflamed tissue or any other abnormalities are affecting your child’s ability to breathe.
Vocal Cord Paralysis
The phrase vocal cord paralysis is often used to describe a condition where one of the vocal cords does not function or functions poorly. This can happen on its own or be caused by some other illness. Symptoms include:
- Difficulty talking and swallowing.
- Hoarseness.
- Chronic cough with thick mucus production.
- Other respiratory problems.
Diagnosing vocal cord paralysis is not difficult for an ENT and can be done by a doctor during a routine examination. In order to be properly diagnosed, however, a doctor will want to rule out other causes of problems with speaking and swallowing. Medical imaging such as x-rays and CT scans are common for identifying additional problems in people who exhibit symptoms of vocal cord paralysis.
Many different conditions can cause a child to have trouble breathing. Stridor is one of these conditions, and it is most commonly caused by the upper airway being inflamed. This inflammation can swell the airway, narrowing the passage for air to travel through and making it difficult for your child to breathe.
Stridor can also be caused by vocal cord dysfunction or laryngeal problems. If your child has stridor, a pediatric ENT specialist can perform an endoscopy to examine your child’s upper airway and vocal cords. This procedure is painless and can provide information about what is causing your child’s breathing issues. They will be able to determine if inflamed tissue or any other abnormalities are affecting your child’s ability to breathe.