Laryngeal manifestation due to smoking among the pediatric age group

Laryngeal manifestation due to smoking among the pediatric age group – Our experiences at an Indian teaching hospital: Santosh Kumar Swain, Ishwar Chandra Behera, Jatindra Nath Mohanty



Archives of Medicine and Health Sciences 2019 7(2):186-190



Background and Aim: Smoking among the pediatric age group is a public health concern. It has direct link to laryngeal manifestations. Due to increased exposure to smoking, it is affecting the children directly or indirectly through involving upper airway, particularly the larynx. In this study, we explored the effect of cigarette smoking in laryngeal manifestations among the pediatric age group. Materials and Methods: It is a retrospective study conducted at a tertiary care teaching hospital of eastern India between December 2017 and June 2019. There were 112 pediatric patients between the age of 5 and 16 years with complaints of hoarseness of voice. Out of 112, 32 (28.57%) had history of exposure to cigarette smoking. All the children of this study underwent a careful and detailed general and physical examinations and local examinations such as the ear, nose, and throat. All the children were also subjected to videolaryngoscopy for the assessment of the larynx. Results: The majority of the children with smoking habit were male (59.37%). The most common diagnosis among children with smoking habit was laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) (40.62%) followed by chronic laryngitis (25%), vocal fold keratosis (18.75%), Reinke's edema (12.50%), and malignancy (3.12%). All these laryngeal lesions were treated appropriately. LPR and chronic laryngitis were treated with conservative medications and speech therapy. Vocal fold keratosis and Reinke's edema were treated with microlaryngeal surgery and conservative treatment. Conclusion: Smoking has adverse effect on the larynx in the pediatric age group. It has an impact to alter the structural changes in the vocal folds. Speech therapy, vocal hygiene, and absolute cessation of the smoking are ideal treatment for pediatric dysphonia due to the effect of smoking.