Pediatric ENT Associates (PENTA) at Children’s of Alabama in Birmingham specializes in the diagnostic, medical and surgical care of head and neck diseases in infants and children. All of our members are board-certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology with current Alabama medical licenses, actively publish in peer-review medical journals, and participate as teachers, presenters, and instructors both regionally and nationally.
Learn about our specialty programs:
Our Pediatric ENT Associates Doctors
Pediatric ENT Associates consists of six child ear, nose, and throat specialists in Birmingham, AL:
- Dr. Brian J. Wiatrak
- Dr. Audie Woolley
- Dr. J. Scott Hill
- Dr. Nicholas J. Smith
- Dr. Brian Kulbersh
- Dr. Philip Rosen
Learn more about our expert doctors.
From hearing loss to obstructive sleep apnea, our physicians have the experience and expertise necessary to accurately diagnose your child’s condition and create an individualized treatment plan for your child. In addition, the Pediatric ENT Associates physicians are active members in interdepartmental programs at Children’s of Alabama, providing a comprehensive and thorough approach to your child’s care.
Our ENT specialist focus on the following areas:
Ears
- Ear Infections and Ear Tubes: When children suffer from chronic ear infections, a safe and common solution is the placement of myringotomy tubes.
- Cochlear Implants: An option for children, with profound or severe sensorineural hearing loss, who do not benefit from external hearing aids.
- Congenital Ear Anomalies: If a child is born with an ear anomaly, it is vital to have their hearing checked as soon as possible.
- Hearing Loss: Can be congenital or a result of external factors after birth. There are a variety of solutions available for helping children hear better, from hearing aids to cochlear implants to sign language.
Many children experience problems with their ears, ranging from infections to hearing loss to deformities. Read more about this in our ear conditions page.
Nose
- Deviated Septum: Occurs when the nasal wall separating the nostrils is malformed in some way, blocking the even flow of air through the nose.
- Epistaxis: Otherwise known as nosebleed, it is not often a cause for alarm and can occur following a number of causes, including overly dry air, trauma to the nose, harsh nose-blowing, or picking the nose.
- Sinusitis: Commonly known as a sinus infection, it is an easily treatable condition in children.
From nosebleeds to sinusitis to sleep apnea, there are many nasal conditions children may endure at some point in their lives. Read more about this in our nose conditions page.
Throat
- Pharyngitis: Commonly known as a sore throat, it is one of the most common afflictions in children and is the number one reason for visits to the pediatrician in young children.
- Airway Obstruction: The most common cause is the inhalation of a foreign object, such as a toy or piece of too large food. In this case, emergency care should be sought. Other causes of obstruction to the airway can include infection, epiglottitis, allergic reaction, laryngomalacia or tracheomalacia, among others.
- Tracheostomy: A surgical procedure in which a tube is inserted into a small hole in the trachea in order to help your child breathe better.
- Tonsillectomy and Adenoidectomy: Procedures which remove the tonsils and adenoids.
Children often have trouble with their throats, whether it is a sore throat, an airway problem, or problems with the tonsils or adenoids. Read more about this in our throats conditions page.
Head & Neck
- Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A condition which can cause many unwanted side effects, such as irritability, restlessness, inattentiveness, and fatigue during the day, due to restless sleep.
- Neck Masses: Can be congenital or acquired in children. Fortunately, neck masses in young children are very rarely cancerous and can be treated successfully in most cases.
- Hemangiomas and Vascular Malformations: Also called strawberry marks, hemangiomas are vascular birthmarks that grow rapidly over the first year of life but generally disappear before a child turns 10 years old.
Head and neck disorders include neck masses, hemangiomas, and vascular malformations. Read more about this in our head & neck conditions page.
Areas We Serve
Located in Birmingham, AL, Pediatric ENT Associates offers a variety of diagnostic and treatment services to patients from all around the state, most notably, the neighborhoods located inside and around Birmingham. To view a comprehensive list of the neighborhoods we serve, please visit our Areas We Serve page.
Learn More about Ear, Nose, and Throat Conditions
To learn about ear, nose, or throat conditions your child may be suffering from, simply review the menu above and you’ll be directed to the appropriate page. If you have further questions, please feel free to call us at any time or fill out a contact form. If you contact us after hours, we will get back to you as soon as we can.
Contact Us
If you have any questions about pediatric otolaryngology or would like to schedule an appointment with our specialists, please don’t hesitate to call us at (205) 831-0101 in Birmingham, AL or fill out our appointment forms. Your child’s health is important to us, and we will always provide the best care possible.