What is children’s ENT care?
Why do children require separate ENT care?
These anatomical differences also predispose babies and children to a different set of conditions. Pediatric ENT specialists have trained additionally on how to manage the unique symptoms and conditions that affect younger patients.
The environments are also better suited for children with books and toys, and specialists adopt a more tolerable demeanor for children. They are also likely to have several pediatric tools available for examination and treatment.
What are common ENT conditions treated in children?
There are several ENT conditions that are very frequently seen in younger patients. Most young patients who present to an ENT clinic are likely to be treated for any of these conditions. They include the following:
- Ear infections
- Sinusitis
- Enlarged tonsils or adenoids
- Ear wax impaction
- Hearing loss
- Preauricular cyst or sinus
- Frequent nose bleeds (epistaxis)
- Foreign bodies in the nose or ears
- Allergies
- Nasal fracture
- Noisy breathing
- Eardrum perforation
- Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck
How to know if a child has an ear infection?
Ear infections are certainly one of the most common ENT conditions seen in children, especially compared to adults, who usually do not present to the clinic for the same.
Parents who are concerned that their child may have an ear infection will notice the following symptoms. It is important to present for treatment as early as possible, as untreated ear infections can result in permanent hearing loss in some cases.
The symptoms of ear infections, particularly in toddlers and babies, include:
- Tugging at the ear
- Responds less to their name being called
- Irritability
- Fever
- Poor balance
- Poor sleep
- Ear discharge
Older children will likely complain of fullness in the ear, discomfort, and sometimes pain.
Why do children have ear infections more commonly than adults?
Children have ear infections more commonly than adults due to differences in their physiology and the anatomy of the ear.
As regards their anatomy, the eustachian tube, a tube that normalizes pressure in the middle ear by connecting to the throat, is not fully developed. It is more horizontal in children, and also smaller. As a result, when fluid enters the tube, particularly after a nasal infection, it is unable to drain easily. This predisposes to an ear infection.
Children also have less developed immune systems, which are not as efficient as adults in combatting infections. These two factors come together to increase the risk of children getting ear infections.
How are ear infections treated in children?
Treatment for ear infections differs depending on the age of the child and the severity of the infection. For most children, antibiotics will be the first means of treatment. Some children may also receive analgesics to take care of the pain.
In some instances, when children suffer from frequent ear infections, they can undergo a procedure to have an ear tube inserted. This tube helps prevent fluid from building up in the ear, which prevents the
How to know if a child has tonsillitis?
Tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils, two masses of tissue seen at each side of the back of the throat. When these get swollen, it can cause a lot of symptoms which are quite inconvenient. The symptoms are similar in children and adults and include:
- Difficulty swallowing food and drinks
- Sore throat
- Fever
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Coughing
In more severe instances, patients may notice enlarged lymph nodes in their neck and white splotches on their tonsils. These spots indicate areas filled with pus.
How is tonsillitis treated in children?
Tonsillitis will usually resolve on its own following a few days. There are a few tips that can be followed to improve recovery at home.
- Drinking chilled drinks can help relieve the discomfort in the throat
- Over-the-counter analgesics like acetaminophen and ibuprofen can be used to manage pain
- Patients should get adequate sleep to speed up recovery
- Older children and teenagers can gargle with salty water multiple times a day
However, if the symptoms do not resolve, it is important to visit a pediatric ENT clinic for a proper assessment and care. Antibiotics may need to be prescribed in some cases.
For patients who deal with recurrent tonsillitis that meets certain criteria, a pediatric ENT surgeon may make the decision to remove the tonsils through a surgical procedure known as a tonsillectomy.
Which ENT surgical procedures are commonly done in children?
There are quite a few ENT procedures that are performed commonly in children. These procedures include the following:
- Ear tube placement
- Myringotomy: a hole made in the eardrum to drain fluid trapped inside the middle ear
- Tonsillectomy: surgical removal of the tonsils
- Adenoidectomy: surgical removal of the adenoids
- Tympanoplasty: surgical repair of a perforation in the eardrum
- Removal of foreign bodies in the ear, nose, or throat
- Cochlear implants
- Fixing of nasal fractures
- Endoscopic sinus surgery, including balloon sinuplasty
- Cleft palate/larynx repair
- Removal of masses in the neck or nose
What are common ENT investigations done in children?
Most ENT investigations that can be performed in children are also performed in adults. However, there are a few specifically tailored to younger children as they may not be able to cooperate as needed.
- Audiogram: A test used to assess the hearing ability of a patient
- Auditory Brainstem Response: This is another hearing test, though it is used mostly in babies and younger children who may not respond as required in an audiogram
- Allergy testing
- Bronchoscopy/Tracheoscopy: A test to visualize the lower respiratory tract with an endoscope.
- Imagery like CT/MRI scans can help better view masses in the ear, nose, or throat
