Hoarseness in children: summer camp study

Ninety-six children attended an 8-week residential summer camp program and were evaluated for hoarseness using a 4 point integral scale. Eighteen percent were hoarse at the start of the camp season and 35% subsequently developed hoarseness during the camping season. Only 4.1% of the children in the first screening and 12.5% of those in the second screening had a moderate degree of hoarseness, while the majority of the hoarse children were judged as having only a mild degree. We believe that children should not be considered for voice screenings until 8 weeks after the start of the school term.