Hoarse voice (dysphonia) in children

Specialty: ENT
Age group: Children

Criteria for referral to public hospital service

• Persistent hoarseness (longer than 3 months) which fails to resolve despite maximum speech therapy treatment
• Persistent hoarseness after admission for croup infection.

Information to be included in the referral

Information that must be provided

• Findings on physical examination including tonsil size and signs of upper airway obstruction
• Onset, duration and progression of symptoms
• The functional or psychological impact on quality of life or activities of daily living including impact on school, study, or social activities
• Details of previous management including the course of treatment(s) and outcome of treatment(s)
• Speech pathology assessment.

Provide if available

• Statement about the parent(s) or guardian’s interest in having surgical treatment if that is a possible intervention
• If the child is neurodiverse, gender diverse or has a disability
• If the child identifies as an Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander
• If the child has a preferred language other than English and if they rely on cultural or linguistic support (e.g. Aboriginal cultural support, an interpreter)
• If the child lives in out-of-home care (foster care, kinship care, permanent care or residential care)
• If the child is aged 14-18 years, do they consent that their health information is shared with their parent, guardian or carer.

Additional comments

The Minimum information for referrals to non-admitted specialist services lists the information that should be included in a referral request.

The referral should note if the request is for a second or subsequent opinion as requests for a second opinion will usually not be accepted.

Where appropriate and available the referral may be directed to an alternative specialist clinic or service.

Referral to a public hospital is not appropriate for

• Child with hoarse voice with no airway symptoms.