Spectrum of Otorhinolaryngological Disorders in Children: A CrossSectional Study

Background: Otorhinolaryngological disorders are among the most frequent health problems encountered in the pediatric population and contribute substantially to morbidity and healthcare utilization. The pattern and relative frequency of these conditions vary with age and environmental influences. The present study was conducted to evaluate the spectrum and distribution of ENT disorders among children attending a tertiary care hospital. Material and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study included 410 children aged ≤14 years presenting to the Department of Otorhinolaryngology over an 18-month period. Demographic details, clinical features, and final diagnoses were recorded using a structured proforma. Patients were categorized into otological, rhinological, and laryngological disorders based on clinical evaluation and relevant investigations. Data were analyzed using appropriate descriptive and inferential statistical methods, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: The mean age of participants was 8.1 ± 3.9 years. The majority belonged to the 5–9-year age group (38.0%), followed by 10–14 years (35.7%) and 0–4 years (26.3%). Males constituted 57.1% of cases. Otological disorders were most common (44.4%), followed by rhinological (33.9%) and laryngological conditions (21.7%). Acute otitis media (26.4%) was the leading otological diagnosis, allergic rhinitis (31.7%) predominated among rhinological disorders, and acute tonsillitis (32.6%) was most frequent in the laryngological group. Age-wise variation in the distribution of major disorder categories was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Pediatric ENT disorders are highly prevalent, with infective and allergic conditions forming the bulk of cases. Age-specific trends underline the importance of early detection and timely intervention to minimize complications and long-term morbidity