Aerodigestive Clinic

The Aerodigestive Clinic at CHKD provides comprehensive, coordinated care to children with conditions affecting their airway, breathing, feeding, swallowing, or growth.

Our multidisciplinary team includes pediatric specialists from a range of different fields, including otolaryngology (ears, nose, and throat), pulmonology, and gastroenterology, along with speech and language pathology, and social work. As part of the CHKD Health System, our team has direct access to consult with additional medical or surgical teams as needed to address the specific needs of your child.

A Team Approach

Our clinic provides comprehensive evaluation and care for your child in one appointment, at one location, where you can see our entire team during your visit. Follow-up appointments are scheduled as needed with the team, or individually with specific providers.

A specialty program coordinator works as a liaison between our clinic team, your family, and your referring physician. This is both a resource for you and a means to ensure your child receives thorough, integrated care.

We specialize in the treatment of:

• Airway obstruction
• Bronchomalacia
• Chronic aspiration
• Chronic cough
• Dysphagia (feeding and swallowing problems)
• Esophageal atresia
• Gastroesophageal reflux (GER)
• Glottic stenosis
• Laryngeal cleft
• Laryngeal/tracheal papillomatosis
• Laryngomalacia (severe cases)
• Persistent wheezing
• Stridor
• Subglottic stenosis
• Tracheal stenosis
• Tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF)
• Tracheomalacia
• Vocal cord paralysis
• Voice disorders (i.e. paradoxical vocal fold motion)

To make an appointment

The Aerodigestive Clinic is held twice a month in the Ear, Nose and Throat Clinic on the second floor at CHKD’s main hospital in Norfolk. Appointments are arranged through our clinic coordinator, Rachel Schoenrock, RN, BSN. Please call (757) 668-9846 or email Rachel for more information or to inquire about scheduling an evaluation.