Children are exposed to different infections and health conditions during their developmental stages, and problems pertaining to Ear, Nose and Throat are some of the most common problems in children. When it comes to ENT problems, children cannot express their problem clearly, hence consulting a qualified paediatric ENT specialist at the earliest is highly recommended. Consult the best pediatric ENT in Hyderabad now.
What are the most common ENT problems in children?
Children are more susceptible to ENT conditions because of the under-developed Ear, Nose and Throat. Frequent ENT problems will disrupt their lifestyle and routine. Paediatric ENT specialists are trained to diagnose the symptoms when a child may be unable to express the issue clearly.
The most common ENT problems occurring in children that need medical attention are as follows –
Ear infections
Nearly 80% of children suffer from ear infections by the time they reach the age of 5. Upper respiratory infections caused by allergies, cold and cough are the leading causes of infections to the middle and inner ear. Common symptoms include –
- Ear discharge
- Cold
- Ear pain
- Nausea
- Fever
- Headache
- Trouble hearing
- Itching in ears
Untreated ear infections may lead to middle ear infections, otitis media, and eustachian tube infection. The severity of the infection increases if left unattended and may causes further complications, which may ultimately lead to hearing loss in the child.
Sinusitis
Sinus infection, also known as sinusitis, is an inflammation or swelling of the tissue lining the sinuses. The sinuses are four paired hollow spaces whose prime function is to produce thin mucus that drains out of the nose passages and keeps them moist. A sinus infection occurs when these sinuses, generally filled with air, get filled with fluid. Common symptoms include –
- Nasal mucus
- Blocked nose
- Poor sense of smell
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Fatigue
Sore Throat
Sore throat or throat inflammation is common in children and often considered a seasonal infection. Inflammation in the throat leads to soreness. The two most common infections which cause a sore throat are pharyngitis (an infection of the throat) and tonsillitis (an infection of the tonsils) which can be painful and irritating for the child. Sometimes, allergies can also cause sore throat in children. Anti-inflammatory medications are usually sufficient to treat a sore throat in children.
Symptoms of sore throat include –
- Difficulty in swallowing
- Enlarged lymph nodes
- Swollen tonsils
- Body aches
- Visible white patches on the tonsils
- Nausea
Speech delay
Globally 1 in every 500 children suffer from speech delay. Some children will have delayed speech which will improve with age, but some children might end up with a more long term speech disorders. Children with speech disorders cannot develop fluency of voice thereby feeling isolated and hesitate to speak in public.
The exact cause for speech disorders in children is unknown, but the possible contributing factors include –
- Hearing problems
- Brain damage
- Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) – a genetic, inherited disorder
- Congenital disorders like cerebral palsy
- Incorrect dental formation
- Tongue tie
Speech therapies, voice exercises and surgery can alleviate speech issues. Parents should closely track their child’s language and speech development milestones to detect any speech disorders early on.
- Cooing and babbling are the primary stages of speech development.
- Children begin to string words like “maama” and “daada” between 9-12 months and respond to certain sounds.
- From 12-15 months, they babble, imitate certain sounds, and even respond to our voices to give and take toys.
- From 18-24 months, babies begin to learn and speak new words.
- From 2-3 Years, babies start speaking three-word sentences and begin to understand daily conversations with them.
If your child misses any of these milestones, consult a paediatric ENT doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
Frequent cold and cough
Cold and cough are very common in children and typically last for a week or so. Flu is the most common cause of runny nose and cold. The common symptoms of cold and cough include –
- Runny/stuffy nose
- Sneezing
- Nasal secretion
- Congestion
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Body aches
- Fatigue
- Discomfort in the chest region
- Chills
- Difficulty in breathing
If a child exhibits sneezing, and a congested nose early in the morning it could most likely be attributed to an allergy. If allergies are not treated in time, then there is a chance of contracting asthma. An ENT doctor will provide the appropriate treatment and cure the allergy in a timely manner.
Neglecting these common ENT problems can cause complications in future and hinder their proper functioning of Ear, Nose and throat. Consult the best pediatric ENT in hyderabad for your child’s ENT problems
Why consult EarSurgeon, Dr. Shree Rao?
Dr. Shree Cuddapah Rao is acclaimed as one of the best pediatric ENT in Hyderabad. With 10+ years of deep domain experience in the field of ENT, she is the director at Dr. Rao’s ENT Super Specialty Hospital. She underwent specialized training in Rhinoplasty / Facial Plastic surgery at Singapore General Hospital, Singapore. She also underwent advanced training in cochlear implant surgery under Padmashri Dr. Milind V Kirtane and had a Fellowship in a cochlear implant. Having performed over 200 successful cochlear implants for patients worldwide, Dr. Shree Cuddapah Rao is also the recipient of several prestigious accolades in the domain of ENT. Dr. Shree Rao is one of the best ent doctor in hyderabad, to book an appointment click here.
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