Pediatric Airway, Swallowing and Voice Center

Many children suffer with symptoms that affect their ability to eat, breathe, or speak. The causes for these disorders may be straightforward to diagnose. However, often the causes are complex and may involve structural or functional problems related to the airways and/or to the digestive system. To enhance diagnosis, management and communication with primary care providers, this center has been developed to provide seamless care across multiple medical sub-specialties including pediatric otolaryngology, gastroenterology, and pulmonology as well as for the full range of diagnostic testing services.

Patients seen at our center will have the opportunity to undergo a complete aerodigestive evaluation that includes as many of the specialties and testing services listed above as are required to fully complete the evaluation. The collaboration between the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary and the Massachusetts General Hospital for Children provides a unique opportunity to focus on enhanced and improved care for children with these special and focused problems.

More information about the center can be read in the Pediatric Airway, Swallowing and Voice Center Brochure (pdf).

More information about the conditions we treat can be read on the Pediatric Airway, Swallowing and Voice disorders page.

Pediatric Patients Who May Benefit from the Center

• Children with chronic cough
• Children with voice and resonance disorders disorders (vocal nodules, cysts, velopharyngeal insufficiency, etc)
• Children with congenital and acquired airway disorders such as laryngeal clefts, subglottic stenosis, vocal cord paralysis, laryngomalacia, primary ciliary dyskinesias
• Children with laryngeal papillomatosis (NEW: There is a new clinical treatment for Pediatric Respiratory Papillomatosis)
• Children with suspected paradoxical vocal fold/cord motion
• Children with suspected laryngopharyngeal reflux (gastroesophageal reflux disease)affecting the upper and/or lower airways

Pediatric Airway, Swallowing and Voice Center Co-Directors

• Christopher J. Hartnick MD, Pediatric Otolaryngology, Mass. Eye and Ear Infirmary


• Kenan Haver MD, Pediatric Pulmonology, Mass. General Hospital


• Steven Hardy MD, Pediatric Gastroenterology, Mass. General Hospital

Hours and Services

Outpatient care:
Every Tuesday morning, children will be seen on the 2nd floor at MEEI by the team of combined specialties (Otolaryngology, Gastroenterology, Pulmonology). This will allow for children who need to see all three services to have coordinated care at that time.

Endoscopies:
Each child needing combined procedures such as rigid bronchoscopy, flexible bronchoscopy, and/or esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) will have these done in the coordinated setting at MEEI.

Contact Information

Telephone:617-573-4206

page updated: 2/05/08