Paediatric ENT

Paediatric ENT differs from general ENT in several key aspects due to the unique anatomical, physiological, and developmental considerations of children. Children have smaller and developing airways, nasal passages, and ear structures compared to adults.

Many ENT conditions, often congenital, require treatment at a very young age. These include airway problems, infections of adenoids or tonsils that require their removal, and grommets for 'glue ear'.

Paediatric ENT specialists are trained to manage conditions that specifically affect these structures in children, such as congenital abnormalities, airway disorders (e.g. laryngomalacia), and conditions related to Eustachian tube dysfunction (e.g. otitis media with effusion). On the disease spectrum, this branch also encompasses a wide range of conditions that are specific to childhood, such as recurrent ear infections, tonsillitis, adenoid hypertrophy, and congenital anomalies of the head and neck.

Diagnosing and treating ENT conditions in children often requires specialised techniques and tools appropriate for their age and size. Paediatric ENT specialists are skilled in performing procedures such as flexible laryngoscopy, which is better tolerated by children, and in interpreting symptoms that may present differently in children compared to adults.

Likewise, surgical considerations can also differ significantly from procedures in adults due to smaller anatomy, different anesthesia considerations, and potential long-term impacts on growth and development. In addition to that, children’s ENT addresses parental concerns, developmental milestones, and the impact of ENT conditions on a child’s growth and their future.