Chronic hoarseness in 2.5 year old that seems to be getting worse....

[LackaDAISYcal]

DS2 is 2.5 and has always had a bit of a gravelly voice. He was a bit refluxy as a baby, has always had sleep issues and was given an inhaler a few months ago after a bout of cold left him with a bit of a wheeze and nighttime cough and given that we have asthma in the family.

Recently his voice has gone much more squeaky and hoarse and seems to be getting worse. We thought he was just laying it on a bit thick after he had a throat infection a few weeks ago (and was telling everyone squeakily that he "had a cough" and getting lots of sympathy), but it seems to be getting worse. If we said to him, speak properly, he would sound less squeaky, but now he is squeaky all the time.

I've made an appointment at the docs, but wondering if anyone has any experience of what may be causing it. Google isn't throwing much up at all other than over-use of the vocal chords. He has always been a bit of a screamer and seems to shout at us constantly so that's a possibility!

Could be a long lasting RSV - which will probably respond to antibiotics. Or throat nodules. Both are treatable. :)

this is interesting (and in fact, op, i think i remember your name from the original nov '08 threads but my ds2 came very early and i could never keep up )

my ds has had countless 'asthma' attacks requiring hospitalisation, including one particularly horrific episode when he had rsv and pneumonia. he has had a very squeeky voice for as long as i can remember. in fact, so much so that i no longer notice it but every so often someone will comment on the hoarse/gravelly/squeeky sound of his voice and i will think maybe it was caused by all of the tubes they inserted for chest suction etc.

but maybe not... i shall follow this thread with great interest... sorry i can't be of any help but good luck into getting to the bottom of it.

ps. meant to say we also have had sleep issues from the start

We're seeing the doc on Wednesday so I'll keep updated.

Thanks wmmc . I found some info on nodules. I think some of it is an "oh, poor me" voice as he can vary between just a bit squeaky to something above my range of hearing!

and hello again zonedout ; Do I remember you posting about DS's breathing problems before? I hope your he's well now.

I could have asked them in A&E tonight as we have just spent seven hours there after he managed to get the lid off and swig an unspecified amount from a bottle of medised All OK though; he puked several times and probably didn't have as much as we had initially thought. He is very groggy though.

This boy is Trouble!

I'm sure it's nothing serious but have a look at this. 99.99% unlikely but just to be sure.

Reflux can damage the vocal chords and lead to hoarseness. Would be well worth suggesting that to GP. A very good friend of mine has just had confirmed with her little boy same age.

I have a similar problem as an adult and feel fine other than hoarse sore throat. Reflux acid damages the vocal chords so may need to try tilting the bed to reduce acid reaching throat.

Just a thought. Let us know how you get on

thanks for the messages. I'm not clicking on your link rollmops as I'm easily scared!

doc says tpo monitor it over the next six weeks and if no better or worse then to come back and he will refer to an ENT specialist. I was kind of hoping for that now, but the gears of the NHS run slowly

Will keep updated

Hi @LackaDAISYcal I know this was years ago but just wondering if your son’s hoarseness improved and if everything was ok. My daughter who’s also 2.5 years old has had a hoarse voice on and off for the last 2.5 months and is due to see ent too but I’m finding the wait for an appointment hard as every time she speaks and she sounds hoarse I get upset and concerned again. Hope you can reply.