The Division of Pediatric Otolaryngology provides care to children from birth to 18 years of age with all types of ear, nose and throat conditions. Our group is comprised of full-time pediatric otolaryngologists, general otolaryngologists, and neuro-otologists.
We receive referrals from pediatricians and primary care providers throughout the region and have expertise in:
- breathing disorders
- obstructive sleep apnea
- laryngeal and tracheal abnormalities
- hoarseness
- hearing loss
- ear infections
- speech and language disorders
- swallowing disorders
- neck masses and lesions
- tumors and malignancies of the head and neck
- vascular anomalies
- birth defects affecting the face, head, and neck
- problems associated with clefting of the lip and palate
- chronic ear infections
- cholesteatoma
- cochlear implantation
- chronic sinus infections
Many of the services that we provide are through collaborations with other subspecialists at Washington University and St. Louis Children’s Hospital. We work closely with our colleagues in pulmonary medicine to provide care for children who require tracheostomies and home ventilators. We also provide care through the multidisciplinary Cleft and Craniofacial Team for children born with cleft lip and palate and other craniofacial anomalies.
The pediatric otolaryngology team also participates in the Vascular Anomalies Clinic to provide children with medical and surgical options for these challenging lesions. Our group also is a vital part of one of the most busy programs in the country in caring for children with hearing loss. We provide medical and surgical services for children with hearing loss, offering options of surgical reconstruction, hearing amplification, Baha, and cochlear implantation.
To make an appointment with any of our specialists, please call (314) 454-6162.
Fax: (314) 454-2174
For more information on pediatric conditions and care, visit our patient forms and information page.
Physicians
Advance practice providers
Debbie Scherr
Executive Director of Business Affairs
Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery
- Phone: 314-362-7395
John S. Schneider, MD, MA, FACS
Associate Professor of Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery
Chief, Division of Rhinology
- Phone: 314-362-7509
Lavinia Sheets, PhD
Associate Professor
Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery
- Email: sheetsl@wustl.edu
Hair cells are the sensory receptors of sound, motion, and spatial orientation. Exposure to excessively loud noise or certain drugs can permanently damage hair cells and their connections to nerve fibers. My lab investigates the cellular mechanisms of noise-induced and chemical hair-cell damage using zebrafish as a model for human hearing and deafness.
Allison Shklar, AuD
Clinical Audiologist
Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery
- Phone: 314-362-7489
- Fax: 314-453-0489
Belinda C. Sinks, AuD
Clinical Audiologist
Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery
Dr. Sinks clinical interests include vestibular function and evaluation, dynamic subjective visual vertical, video head impulse testing, cervical and ocular vestibular evoked myogenic potentials, balance prostheses, and late effects of cancer treatment that impact balance and quality of life in children.
Emily A. Spataro, MD
Associate Professor of Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery
Castle Connolly Rising Star
- Phone: 314-996-3880
Emily Spataro, MD, specializes in rhinoplasties for both functional and cosmetic purposes, facial Mohs reconstructions, facial trauma, cosmetic surgeries and procedures such as Botox, fillers, brow lifts, eyelid surgeries, facelifts/necklifts, laser and chemical peels for skin resurfacing.
Richard Benjamin Speaker, MBBCh
Assistant Professor of Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery
- Phone: 314-454-6162
Holly N. Sprow, MD
MD: Tufts University School of Medicine
I am very honored and excited to be at one of the best clinical and research training programs in the country. I chose WashU for its high-operative volume, supportive faculty and residents, resources, and research opportunities.