Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Pediatric Voice Disorders from the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics Guideline Task Force

Pediatric voice disorders are common conditions that may significantly affect communication, psychosocial development, and quality of life in children. Despite their clinical importance, considerable variation exists in diagnostic approaches and treatment strategies, partly due to difficulties in performing invasive examinations and limited high-quality evidence. To address these challenges, the Korean Society of Laryngology, Phoniatrics and Logopedics developed evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of pediatric voice disorders. These guidelines were developed de novo through a systematic literature review addressing predefined key clinical questions related to pediatric vocal fold mucosal lesions and vocal fold paralysis. Searches were conducted in Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and KoreaMed for studies published up to May 31, 2025. Evidence was critically appraised using standardized tools according to study design, and the certainty of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. Recommendations were formulated by considering the balance of benefits and harms, quality of evidence, patient values and preferences, clinical feasibility, and resource implications. A total of nine key clinical questions were addressed, covering diagnostic strategies, voice assessment, noninvasive imaging, voice therapy, surgical intervention, and postoperative management in children with voice disorders. Most recommendations were conditional due to low or very low certainty of evidence, reflecting current limitations in pediatric voice research. These guidelines aim to support consistent, patient-centered clinical decision-making, reduce unwarranted practice variation, and promote optimal outcomes in the care of children with voice disorders.