Clinical evaluation of vocal fold paralysis in 207 children

Objective To investigate the etiology and clinical characteristics of vocal fold paralysis in children. To provide useful information for diagnosis, management and prognosis in the clinical work. Methods Two hundred and seven children with vocal fold paralysis in Children′s Hospital of Fudan University were retrospectively studied, and followed-up. Results All the patients had hoarseness.151 cases had vocal paralysis in the left side and the main etiology was pulmonary arterial hypertension.43 cases had bilateral vocal paralysis and all of them had respiratory problems.The main etiology were congenital tracheoesophageal malformations.13 cases had vocal paralysis in the right side.In terms of etiology, 8 cases were related to intracranial lesions, 2 cases were idiopathic. Conclusions The main etiologies of left vocal fold paralysis were cardiovascular diseases, and bilateral vocal paralysis were congenital tracheoesophageal malformations.The main etiologies of right vocal fold paralysis were neoplastic and central lesion.The prognosis of bilateral vocal fold paralysis and right vocal fold paralysis was poor. Key words: Children; Vocal fold paralysis; Etiology; Prognosis