When to Bring Your Child to an ENT

Ear, nose and throat concerns are among the top reasons children are brought to the doctor. This is because children are especially sensitive to issues like ear infections and food allergies, and because certain birth defects such as cleft palates must be treated at a young age to prevent complications later on.

Here are some common ENT conditions we treat in children:

EAR INFECTIONS

Most children experience at least one ear infection by age three, and 30 percent of children have had three or more episodes by this time. Your primary care provider may refer your child to Willamette ENT for frequent ear infections. The patient will have a thorough ear examination that may include an otomicroscope, cleaning of the ear canal, and a hearing test. Children with chronic ear infections may have a hearing loss that can cause speech delay. Occasionally frequent ear infections can lead to ear-drum perforations and cholesteatomas that can cause permanent hearing loss and life-threatening infections.

NOSE BLEEDS

Chronic nose bleeding, also called epistaxis, is often the result of trauma, dryness or inflammatory disease. Common treatments include the use of saline spray, humidifiers and/or Vaseline. See an ENT if nosebleeds continue despite treatments. The ENT can frequently identify the bleeding site and cauterize it in the clinic the same day.

TONSILLITIS

Tonsil infections are most common in children between four and seven years of age. Almost all cases of tonsillitis (85 percent) are caused by viruses. See an ENT when your child experiences frequent or chronic tonsillitis, when only one tonsil is affected or when the tonsils become so enlarged they cause difficulties with swallowing or breathing.

SINUS INFECTIONS

Sinus infections, also called sinusitis, are often caused by cold, flu, allergies or infections. See an ENT when your child suffers from symptoms that last more than two months or continue to return after treatment.

Our doctors treat ENT disorders in children by working in close collaboration to care for your child’s well-being.