Pediatric voice disorders

B R Maddern1, T F Campbell, S Stool

  • 1Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology, Nemours Children's Clinic, Jacksonville, Florida.

Insights

Pediatric voice disorders affect 6-23% of school-aged children. This article reviews normal voice development, causes of abnormal voice, and a multidisciplinary approach for assessment and treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Otolaryngology
  • Speech-Language Pathology
  • Child Development

Background:

  • Voice disorders are prevalent in school-aged children, impacting 6% to 23% of this population.
  • Understanding normal laryngeal voice development is crucial for identifying deviations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To present the various causes of pediatric voice disorders.
  • To discuss normal laryngeal voice and development.
  • To outline a framework for the multidisciplinary assessment and treatment of pediatric voice disorders.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review on pediatric voice disorders.
  • Discussion of etiological factors.
  • Framework for clinical assessment and intervention.

Main Results:

  • Identified common causes of voice disorders in children.
  • Described characteristics of normal laryngeal voice function.
  • Presented a structured approach for managing pediatric voice issues.

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric voice disorders are common and require a comprehensive understanding of etiology.
  • A multidisciplinary approach is essential for effective assessment and treatment of childhood voice problems.

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