Patient Information

Snoring/Sleep Disordered Breathing

Snoring and noisy breathing whilst sleeping is abnormal in children. It is often caused by recurrent partial, or complete obstruction of the upper airway when asleep. It has significant physiological, neuro-cognitive and behavioural effects. Click here for more information.

Breathing Difficulties & Stridor

Noisy breathing can be from a number of places in the upper airway. Stertor (snoring), stridor (a high pitch noise usually with inhalation) or chronic cough, commonly require thorough investigations. This can be through radiology (eg xrays) or under an anaesthetic where a telescopic camera examines the airway. This is called “laryngotracheobronchoscopy.”

Tonsillectomy & Adenotonsillectomy

The tonsils and adenoids are tissues in the back of the throat and nose which can become enlarged, causing airway obstruction known as sleep disordered breathing, or can become recurrently infected. Adenoidectomy, or adenotonsillectomy is often required to return their night-time breathing to normal.

Hearing loss/Grommets

Middle ear fluid, also known as “glue ear” is one of the most common causes of hearing loss in children. Consequences can include speech and language delay, school inattention, and even balance problems. Other causes include recurrent ear infections, known as acute otitis media. Grommets, which are tiny tubes, are placed most commonly for these two conditions to minimise the harmful effects of these diseases.