Dysphonia in children.
BACKGROUND
Vocal symptoms are common among the pediatric population and are often caused by vocal abuse. Laryngoscopy is essential for their diagnosis because it helps differentiate several laryngeal lesions, leading to a decision for suitable treatments considering each case.


OBJECTIVE
This study aims to present the clinical characteristics, and the laryngoscopic diagnosis of a dysphonic child population.


METHODS
The parents of 304 children, aged from 4 to 18 years and presenting prolonged hoarseness, answered a questionnaire about their children's voice, and all children were subjected to videolaryngostroboscopy.


RESULTS
Male children aged from 7 to 12 years (64%) were predominant. Vocal abuse (n-162) and nasal obstruction symptoms (n-10) were the most frequent associated symptoms. The vocal symptoms had a chronic evolution (over 1 year) and were reported by most parents (n-200). The most commonly diagnosed lesions in the laryngoscopic exams were vocal nodules (n-175) and epidermal cysts (n-47). Furthermore, there was an association of some lesions, especially minor structural alterations.


CONCLUSIONS
In the present study, dysphonia occurred mainly in children aged from 7 to 12 years, predominantly males. Vocal abuse and nasal obstruction symptoms were frequently reported. Vocal nodules and cysts were the most commonly diagnosed laryngeal lesions in the laryngoscopic exams.
Department of Ophthalmology, Otorhinolaryngology, and Head and Neck Surgery, Botucatu Medical School, UNESP, São Paulo State University, Botucatu, São Paulo, Brazil. martins@fmb.unesp.br
Regina Helena Garcia
RH
Martins
Caio Bosquê
CB
Hidalgo Ribeiro
Bruno Marcos Zeponi
BM
Fernandes de Mello
Anete
A
Branco
Elaine Lara Mendes
EL
Tavares
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D055154:Dysphonia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006685:Hoarseness / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007828:Laryngoscopy; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D049489:Stroboscopy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014741:Video Recording; D014833:Voice Quality