Voice disturbances in young children with gastroesophageal reflux disease
Viaz'menov, E.O.; Radtsig, E.I.; Bogomil'skiĭ, M.R.; Vodolazov, S.I.; Poliudov, S.A.; Myzin, A.V.
Vestnik Otorinolaringologii 2: 32-35
2010
ISSN/ISBN: 0042-4668 PMID: 20517277 Document Number: 641613
The objective of the present work was to study voice disturbances in young children with gastroesophageal reflux disease. Diagnostic algorithm included direct transnasal examination of the larynx using an Olympus fibroscope (Japan), fibrogastroduodenoscopy, 24-hour potentiometry, biopsy of oesophageal mucosa, and acoustic analysis of the voice. A total of 26 children at the age from 8 months to 3 years with voice disturbances were examined, including 12 children below one year, 5 between 1 and 2 years, and 9 between 2 and 3 years. The main signs of laryngoesophageal reflux were dysphonia, oedema, hyperemia, and altered light reflex of mucous membrane of arytenoid cartilages, interarytenoid space, and vocal cords. It is concluded that voice disturbances are the most common symptoms of laryngoesophageal reflux in young children which necessitates the earliest possible endoscopic study of the larynx in all cases of dysphonia.