ABSTRACT
The subspecialty of phoniatrics has evolved principally in adults and this knowledge may now be applied to voice disorders in children. The spectrum of voice disorders seen in a specialist paediatric voice clinic is very wide. This chapter focuses on those aspects relevant to voice disorders and on normal growth and development after birth. Children with voice disorders may present to a general clinic or to a specialist voice clinic. The objectives of laryngoscopy are twofold, first to identify any structural lesion, such as a vocal nodule or papilloma, and second to assess laryngeal mobility during phonation. A wide range of functional voice disorders can be demonstrated in children without demonstrable nodules. These children may present with dysphonia, or even aphonia, secondary to underlying psychological factors. Medialization thyroplasty can be considered for those who do not improve and continue to have a significant voice problem.
