Dysphonia in children

Abstract Dysphonia is a frequent symptom in paediatric patients and it has a prevalence between 6 - 24%. In young patients, dysphonia has a direct importance because it impairs their communicative behaviour, their psychological status and also their social life. The most diagnosed voice pathologies in children are vocal nodules followed by vocal cord cysts, infectious and inflammatory causes, sulcus vocalis, laryngeal membranes, iatrogenic vocal cord paralysis, neurological causes, psychogenic factors, traumatic or irritative factors or, less commonly, laryngeal neoplasms. A correct diagnosis of dysphonia in paediatric patients is important for learning, voice training and their psychological development. Children with dysphonia have to be assessed with adequate equipment. It is recommended to use tools that are appropriate to the tolerance and cooperation of the patients and allow to have a good visualization of the vocal folds. Suitable preventive methods, early diagnosis, appropriate treatment of voice disorders should be taken into consideration in these cases. In this article, some of the most frequent causes of dysphonia in paediatric patients and their treatment options in order to achieve a proper voice are reviewed.