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Voice disorders in children
S D Gray1, M E Smith, H Schneider
1Division of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Utah Medical Center, Salt Lake City, USA.
Insights
Pediatric voice and speech disorders require team assessments involving multiple specialists. Early detection and interdisciplinary care, supported by advanced technology and research, improve outcomes for children with these communication challenges.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Otolaryngology
- Speech-Language Pathology
- Communication Disorders
Background:
- Voice and speech problems in children often necessitate a multidisciplinary team approach.
- These issues can be symptoms of underlying complex medical conditions, requiring thorough evaluation.
- Parental or primary caregiver recognition is crucial for initiating care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To emphasize the importance of team-based assessment for pediatric voice and speech disorders.
- To highlight the role of interdisciplinary collaboration in diagnosing and managing complex cases.
- To underscore the benefits of specialized pediatric clinics and advanced diagnostic tools.
Main Methods:
- Multidisciplinary team evaluation involving pediatricians, otolaryngologists, and speech-language pathologists.
- Utilizing advanced diagnostic equipment like flexible laryngoscopy, video stroboscopy, and nasometry.
- Leveraging research funding from national institutes for pediatric communication disorders.
Main Results:
- Speech or voice problems can indicate broader health issues, such as velocardiofacial syndrome or hydrocephalus.
- Technological advancements have significantly improved the detection, evaluation, and management of pediatric speech and voice problems.
- Dedicated pediatric voice and speech disorder clinics are increasingly available, fostering interdisciplinary care.
Conclusions:
- Children with voice and speech difficulties benefit most from interdisciplinary management by experienced professionals.
- Effective care requires collaboration between various medical specialists and caregivers.
- Continued research and resource allocation are vital for addressing pediatric communication disorders.
Abstract:
Pediatric patients with voice or speech problems usually should receive a team assessment in which communication between the pediatrician or primary care physician, the otolaryngologist, and speech pathologist occurs. Although speech or voice problems may prompt an otolaryngologic evaluation, the voice or speech problem simply may be the manifestation or symptom of a larger or more complex disease process. Whether that is the case of hypernasal speech, eventually leading to the diagnosis of velocardiofacial syndrome, or bilateral vocal fold paralysis, eventually leading to the diagnosis of hydrocephalus, it is apparent that patients with speech or voice disorders may eventually require multidisciplinary evaluation. The outlook for children with speech and voice difficulties is better than ever. Recent equipment advances, such as flexible laryngoscopy, video stroboscopy, and nasometry, for detection, evaluation, and management of speech problems have created a better environment than ever existed for care of these problems. Much research is being performed in the area of pediatric voice and speech problems. The National Institute of Deafness and Communicative Disorders and the National Institute of Dental Research have funded and currently fund many projects in these areas. Many pediatric hospitals now have voice or speech disorder clinics in which multiple disciplines are brought together to evaluate children with these problems. Children benefit best when speech and voice problems are managed in an interdisciplinary setting when necessary and by professionals who have experience and training in these specialized pediatric problems. Given the local, professional, and national resources that are expended toward recognition and treatment of speech disorders in children, it is truly a tragedy when those resources cannot be brought to assist children with voice and speech problems. Although voice and speech problems usually are recognized by parents or concerned family members, this task may rest on the pediatrician or other primary caregiver.