PEDIATRIC EAR, NOSE AND THROAT EMERGENCIES - PREVALENCE AND MANAGEMENT: A HOSPITAL BASED STUDY.

ENT-related diseases form a significant portion of ailments in pediatric age group. Many of them present in emergency clinics with acute symptoms requiring urgent management. A prospective study was carried out in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck, SMHS Hospital Srinagar, in patients below 16 years of age, to determine the hospital prevalence of ENT emergencies in pediatric age group and their management protocol as followed in a tertiary center. Emergencies relating to ear were most common followed by pharyngoesophageal and nose conditions. Foreign bodies were most common among nasal and aural emergencies. Although mortality is low in such emergency group, morbidity may be very high at times. In management of such emergencies, particularly where operative intervention is required, expertise of an ENT specialist is necessary.