Severity of voice handicap in children diagnosed with elevated lesions

This study sought to determine the impact of voice disability on children with elevated vocal fold lesions (nodules, cysts, polyps). The Pediatric Voice Handicap Index (pVHI) was used to assess the impact on functional, physical, and emotional aspects of voice and oral communication. The degree of talkativeness and overall severity of dysphonia were also determined.

Case series with chart review of children evaluated at a voice clinic from 2007 to 2011.

Tertiary specialized children's hospital.

Medical records of 33 children (11 girls, 22 boys) diagnosed with an elevated vocal fold lesion by a pediatric laryngologist were reviewed for voice disability using the pVHI. The pVHI is a parental proxy of perceived voice handicap in functional, physical, and emotional aspects and includes a talkativeness rating scale and visual analog overall severity rating of voice (VAS). Data were examined for young children (age 2-5 years), children (age 6-10 years), and adolescents (age 11-17 years).

The VAS was significantly correlated with pVHI-total. There was no significant difference between age groups for overall pVHI (mean, 29.3) or talkativeness, but all groups had significantly higher functional disability (mean, 16) compared with physical (mean, 8.2) or emotional (mean, 5.1) disability.

Children across all age groups with elevated vocal fold lesions have significant voice disability, greatest for functional aspects of voice. Voice care team professionals must recognize the functional impact of dysphonia on the pediatric patient.