Pediatric Otolaryngology is the subspecialty of medicine that deals with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of all problems located in the ear, nose, larynx and pharynx of children.
Within this subspecialty we treat diseases that almost exclusively affect children. Thus, the conditions most frequently treated in Pediatric Otolaryngology are hearing problems, otitis, allergies, tonsillitis, vegetations, speech problems, apnea, snoring, sinusitis, swallowing disorders and cysts or malformations in the head and neck.
However, pediatric otolaryngology deals with the diagnosis and treatment of disorders of the entire apparatus: ears, nose and throat, as well as head and neck conditions. Also of head and neck surgery, including preoperative and postoperative care of each intervention.
Seromucous otitis is the most frequent reason for hospital admission for surgical treatment and the most common cause of hypoacusis (hearing loss) in children, being the most frequent cause of disease in the developed world, since 1 in 8 children under 10 years of age has recurrent ear infections and many of them are asymptomatic.
Tonsils are also another very common reason for consultation in pediatric otorhinolaryngology. They are the structures located on each side of the pharynx and form a first defense barrier for possible infectious agents. The most frequent pathologies are tonsillar hypertrophy and recurrent infections (tonsillitis) or angina.
Hearing loss in children is also common. It is somewhat more complex to study in children, since they do not have the same collaboration as adults.
What are the differences between pediatric otolaryngology and adult otolaryngology?
Children are not just small adults. They cannot always say what bothers them or answer medical questions. They do not always have the ability to be patient and cooperative during a medical examination.
Pediatric otolaryngologists know how to examine and treat children in a way that makes them relax and want to cooperate.
In addition, pediatric otolaryngologists use equipment specially designed for children. Most pediatric otolaryngologists’ offices are designed and decorated with children in mind. Children’s toys, videos and reading materials may be available in examination rooms and waiting rooms. This helps create a pleasant, stress-free environment for your child.
If your pediatrician suggests that you take your child to a specialist because of an ear, nose or throat problem, a pediatric otolaryngologist has the widest range of possible treatments, the most comprehensive training and the most experience with young patients and in treating ear, nose and throat conditions in children.
What symptoms can alert children to visit the ENT specialist?
It is advisable to go to the specialist in Pediatric Otolaryngology when, among other reasons, the child:
- Presents recurrent discomfort or discomfort that persists for a long time in the ears.
- We suspect that he/she has a delay in language acquisition and we consider that it may be due to a hearing problem.
- Does not respond satisfactorily to the treatment indicated by the primary care physician.
- Have received many medications, vaccinations or various procedures without a clear diagnosis.
How important is this subspecialty for future adult life?
Pediatric otolaryngologists are primarily engaged in the medical and surgical treatment of ear, nose and throat diseases in children. Pediatric otolaryngologists usually provide the following services to the child so that in his future adult life he will be a healthy adult since it will help him from the earliest ages in:
- The diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the ears, nose and throat, as well as conditions of the head and neck.
- Head and neck surgery, including pre- and post-operative care.
- Assessment and consultation with other physicians when ear, nose or throat conditions are detected that require the involvement of other specialists such as speech therapists, etc.
- They will receive proper counseling and treatment in the identification of communication disorders and language or swallowing disorders in children.