Voice problems in children: pathogenesis and diagnosis

Voice problems seem to concern more than one child out of twenty, and may c oncern quality (hoarseness), resonance (nasality). pitch (mutation) and lou dness. The main etiological categories are defined as organic (congenital/a cquired), functional/habitual (especially due to voice abuse and misuse), a nd psychogenic (especially mutation disorders). Flexible transnasal endosco pes of small diameter (2.3 mm) are optimally suited for accurate endoscopic diagnosis, especially if combined with video-recording and stroboscopy. (C ) 1999 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.