Your family pediatrician can diagnosis and treat minor problems in your child's ear, nose or throat, such as common earaches and sore throats, but a pediatric otolaryngologist is specially trained to offer more extensive medical and surgical treatments for children with complex medical problems related to their head or neck.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, many general otolaryngologists provide surgical care for children; however, in many areas of the country, more specialized pediatric ENT care is available for kids.
Pediatric ear, nose and throat specialists offer comprehensive care for an array of conditions, the most common of which include hearing loss, recurrent ear infections, allergies, sinusitis, adenoiditis, tonsillitis, recurrent strep throat, snoring, nose bleeds, lumps in the neck, speech and language issues, and sleep disorders.
Pediatric otolaryngologists also treat patients with birth defects of the head or neck, related developmental delays and Down's syndrome. They typically see patients from the newborn stage through the teenage years.
Some of the surgeries ear, nose and throat doctors perform on a regular basis including tonsil removal, placing ear tubes, and sinus, thyroid, and reconstruction operation.