[Dysphonia in children and adolescents]

Hoarseness is the leading symptom of dysphonia among children and adolescents. The incidence is evaluated internationally to be 6-25%. In an overview the hereditary and acquired organic and functional causes including secondary organic lesions of the vocal folds, the pathomechanisms and the symptoms typical for this age group are presented. In clinical routine, symptoms of dysphonia in children and adolescents should be consciously looked for and any long-term hoarseness should be examined by specialized physicians, even in this age group, using methods suitable to the age group and the developmental stage. When the appropriate indications are present all therapeutic options currently available should be taken into consideration. Furthermore, this paper provides information for the parents concerning the imminent phoniatric examination.