Expressnews
Chennai, June 15, 2026: In a significant step towards advancing specialized healthcare for children, Rainbow Children’s Hospital, Chennai, today launched ACENT (Advanced Centre for Pediatric ENT Care), the city’s first dedicated centre for the diagnosis, treatment and long-term management of pediatric hearing, airway and sleep disorders. The centrebrings together highly specialized pediatric ENT expertise, advanced technology and multidisciplinary care to address some of the most complex ENT conditions affecting newborns, infants, children and adolescents.
Conditions such as hearing loss, airway abnormalities, recurrent ear infections and sleep-disordered breathing often go unrecognized in children, despite their potential impact on speech, learning, growth and overall development. ACENT has been established to address this growing need through specialized pediatric ENT services, offering comprehensive care ranging from early diagnosis and intervention to the management of complex airway, hearing and sleep-related conditions.
Notably, ACENT is the first centre in Chennai to utilize ultra-thin 1.2 mm pediatric endoscopes for airway assessment in newborns and young children without sedation. The technology enables clinicians to safely examine even the smallest airways in an outpatient setting, facilitating earlier diagnosis and timely intervention for complex ENT conditions.
The centre’s capabilities were recently demonstrated in the treatment of a one-week-old infant admitted with severe airway obstruction, feeding difficulties and dependence on oxygen support. Following a specialized airway intervention, the infant showed significant improvement in breathing and feeding and was discharged within days, highlighting the impact of timely, specialized airway care during the earliest stages of life.
Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Gunasekhar C, Facility Director, Rainbow Children’s Hospital, Chennai, said, “At Rainbow Children’s Hospital, our focus has always been on delivering specialized pediatric care backed by advanced technology and multidisciplinary expertise. The launch of ACENT reinforces our commitment to providing children with access to dedicated ENT care under one roof. From diagnosis and treatment to recovery and rehabilitation, every aspect of the centre has been designed around the unique needs of children and their families.”
Discussing the need for specialized pediatric ENT care, Dr. Nithya R, (ACENT DESIGNATION) & Consultant – Pediatric ENT, Rainbow Children’s Hospital, Chennai, said, “Many ENT conditions in children are often dismissed as temporary concerns, when in reality they can have a lasting impact on a child’s hearing, speech, sleep, learning and overall development. The earlier these conditions are identified, the greater our ability to intervene effectively and improve outcomes. Through ACENT, we aim to provide children with access to specialized care designed around their unique needs, ensuring that families receive timely answers, appropriate treatment and the confidence that their child is receiving the best possible care.”
The centre is supported by dedicated pediatric anesthesiologists, neonatologists, pediatricians, and PICU and NICU teams, enabling seamless care for children with even the most complex ENT conditions. ACENT offers a comprehensive spectrum of specialized services, including advanced hearing solutions and cochlear implants, airway surgery, complex ENT procedures, and minimally invasive interventions for sinus disorders and head, neck and ear swellings.
Equipped to perform advanced diagnostic and therapeutic procedures such as Drug-Induced Sleep Endoscopy (DISE), airway endoscopy and bronchoscopy, the centre enables precise diagnosis and targeted treatment of airway, hearing and sleep-related disorders while minimizing recovery time and improving long-term outcomes.
The launch of ACENT was marked by the presence of renowned playback singer Ms. Saindhavi and Dr. Suresh Kumar M, Senior Consultant & Coordinator, ENT, KIMSHEALTH, Trivandrum, who joined Rainbow Children’s Hospital’s leadership and clinical teams in unveiling a new chapter in specialized pediatric ENT care for Chennai.
