Who is the best ENT doctor for children in Riyadh? 5 criteria to help you choose the right specialist for your child

Last Update: 2/12/2025

When a child has loud snoring, frequent ear infections, blocked nose, or starts breathing through their mouth at night, the problem is rarely “just a cold”. These symptoms can affect sleep quality, hearing, speech development and even school performance.

That is why choosing a paediatric ENT (ear, nose and throat) doctor in Riyadh is not a cosmetic decision – it is a medical decision that can have a long-term impact on your child’s health.

In this guide, we will walk you through five clear criteria that help you choose the right ENT doctor for your child, and show where a specialised centre like Magrabi Eye, Dental & ENT Hospitals and Centres in Riyadh can make a difference.
 

If you already know your child needs an ENT assessment, you can also book an appointment online with one of Magrabi’s ENT doctors in Riyadh.

 

Why your child should see a paediatric ENT specialist
 

ENT problems in children are not simply “smaller versions” of adult problems. Recurrent tonsillitis, enlarged adenoids, glue ear, and sleep-disordered breathing can all affect growth, learning and behaviour if they are not managed properly.

A paediatric ENT doctor is particularly experienced in:

• Assessing enlarged tonsils and adenoids and their effect on breathing and sleep.
• Managing recurrent middle ear infections and fluid behind the eardrum, which may cause temporary or persistent hearing loss.
• Identifying hearing-related causes of speech delay and recommending appropriate treatment or referral.
• Deciding when it is reasonable to continue with medical treatment and observation, and when surgery becomes the safer option.
   

If your child often has throat infections, it may be helpful to read more about
tonsillitis in children
or, if your doctor suspects adenoids, you can learn more in
Adenoids in children: causes, symptoms and treatment.

 

5 key criteria for choosing the best ENT doctor for children in Riyadh
 

When you search for a paediatric ENT doctor in Riyadh, reputation alone is not enough. These five practical criteria can help you evaluate whether a doctor – and the setting they work in – are a good fit for your child.
 

1. Clear experience with paediatric ENT conditions
 

Look for a doctor with demonstrable experience in children’s ENT problems, such as:

• Enlarged tonsils and adenoids
• Recurrent ear infections
• Fluid behind the eardrum and hearing loss
• Sleep-disordered breathing and snoring
   

In Magrabi’s ENT departments in Riyadh, several doctors focus significantly on paediatric cases. This usually translates into a more accurate diagnosis and a treatment plan that takes the child’s age, development and daily life into account.
 

2. A calm, child-friendly communication style
 

For children, the way a doctor speaks and behaves can be as important as the treatment itself. A suitable paediatric ENT doctor should:

• Explain the examination steps gently and in age-appropriate language
• Take time to answer parents’ questions clearly
• Avoid either scaring the family or downplaying a genuine concern
   

Doctors in specialised ENT centres like Magrabi are used to seeing anxious children (and anxious parents). Preparing the child before any examination – especially scopes or hearing tests – often makes the visit smoother and less stressful for everyone.

 

3. Transparent diagnosis and treatment plan

 

A trustworthy ENT doctor should make it easy to understand two basic points:

• What is wrong? (the diagnosis)
• What happens next? (the plan)
   

They should explain the difference between:

• Medical treatment and watchful waiting
• Surgical options such as tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy or ear tube insertion – and when these become appropriate
   

In a structured clinical environment, doctors often present the plan step by step, so parents feel the decision is based on clear information rather than pressure or haste.
 

4. A hospital or centre equipped for children
 

For more complex or recurrent problems, choosing a doctor who works within a fully equipped ENT hospital or centre can make a real difference. This allows:

• ENT endoscopy and detailed assessment of the nose, throat and adenoids
• Dedicated hearing tests for children
• Access to operating theatres and paediatric anaesthesia when surgery is required
   

Magrabi Eye, Dental & ENT Hospitals and Centres in Riyadh provide this integrated environment, with operating rooms and teams experienced in working with children – from the ENT surgeons to the anaesthetists and nursing staff.
 

5. Real feedback and recommendations from other parents
 

Finally, authentic experiences from other parents can provide a realistic picture of:

• How clearly the doctor explains the condition
• How responsive the team is to questions
• What results families see after treatment
   

Many families in Riyadh share their experiences after visiting ENT doctors at Magrabi, particularly when they feel the explanation was honest and the outcome met their expectations. This kind of feedback can help you make a more confident choice – whether at Magrabi or elsewhere.
 

When should you book an appointment with an ENT doctor for your child?
 

Parents sometimes hesitate between “waiting a bit longer” and “booking a specialist appointment”. Certain signs suggest that assessment by a paediatric ENT doctor in Riyadh should not be delayed.
 

Symptoms that warrant an early ENT assessment
 

You should consider booking an ENT appointment if your child has:

• Loud snoring or pauses in breathing during sleep
• Habitual mouth breathing, especially at night
• Frequent ear infections, ear pain, or discharge from the ear
• Noticeable hearing difficulties or speech delay/regression
• Persistent nasal blockage or difficulty breathing through the nose
   

In these situations, an ENT specialist can determine whether the problem is likely to resolve with simple measures or whether it may require targeted medical or surgical treatment.
 

Symptoms that may start with your paediatrician
 

Some mild symptoms can be assessed first by your paediatrician, such as:

• Common colds, mild runny nose or occasional sore throat
• Short-lived throat infections that respond well to basic treatment
   

If symptoms keep coming back, last for a long time, or start to affect your child’s sleep, hearing, speech or school performance, a referral to an ENT specialist becomes the natural next step.
 

If you feel your child’s symptoms need a more detailed assessment, you can book a consultation with a specialist at Magrabi’s ENT department or directly via the online appointment system.

 

Should you choose a hospital or a private clinic for your child?
 

When looking for a paediatric ENT doctor in Riyadh, many parents also ask themselves whether to go to a nearby private clinic or a larger hospital/centre. The right choice depends on your child’s situation.
 

Advantages of a fully equipped ENT hospital or centre
 

A hospital or specialised ENT centre is especially important when:

• Your child may need advanced tests, such as nasal endoscopy or specialised hearing assessments
• There is a high likelihood of surgery (for example, tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy or ear tube insertion)
• Your child has other medical conditions that make anaesthesia or surgery more sensitive
   

In these cases, a hospital such as:

• Magrabi Eye, Dental and ENT Hospital – Riyadh
• Magrabi Eye, Dental and ENT Centre – Exit 14, Riyadh
• Magrabi Eye, Dental and ENT Centre – Ghernata, Riyadh
   

offers not only ENT doctors but also paediatric anaesthesia, operating theatres, recovery areas and nursing teams familiar with children’s needs.
 

When a private clinic may be sufficient
 

A private clinic may be appropriate when:

• Symptoms are mild and not recurrent
• Your child is being seen for simple follow-up after hospital treatment
• The doctor has a clear pathway to refer your child to a hospital if a more advanced assessment or surgery is needed
   

Even in this case, it is reassuring to know that your doctor works within, or closely with, a hospital that can take over if your child’s condition becomes more complex.

 

Why many parents in Riyadh choose Magrabi’s ENT doctors for their children
 

When parents select an ENT doctor for their child, they are rarely looking for a “famous name” only. They want a combination of:

• Clinical expertise in children’s ENT problems
• A hospital environment they can trust
• Clear communication and a realistic treatment plan
   

This is where Magrabi’s ENT services in Riyadh often come into consideration.
 

Magrabi’s ENT branches in Riyadh
 

Magrabi operates three ENT facilities in Riyadh, allowing families to choose the most convenient location without compromising on standards of care:

• Magrabi Eye, Dental and ENT Hospital – Riyadh
• Magrabi Eye, Dental and ENT Centre – Ghernata, Riyadh
• Magrabi Eye, Dental and ENT Centre – Exit 14, Riyadh
   

These branches share similar protocols and access to ENT, eye and dental services, which can be particularly helpful for children with multiple needs.
 

Key ENT doctors frequently seeing children at Magrabi Riyadh
 

Magrabi’s ENT department in Riyadh includes several consultants and specialists, among them doctors who frequently manage paediatric cases:

• Dr Alaa Alnaggar – ENT Consultant and Head of the ENT Department in Riyadh, and Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons (UK). Dr Alaa sees a wide range of ENT conditions and is often consulted in more complex cases that require a balanced discussion of medical versus surgical options.
• Dr Rym Zouari – Audiology and Balance Consultant. She performs specialised hearing and balance assessments for children and adults, including fitting and programming hearing aids and cochlear implants. This is particularly valuable for children with suspected hearing-related speech delay.
• Dr Wajdan Al Bahri – ENT Consultant with extensive experience in diagnosing and treating ENT conditions, and performing surgeries such as tonsillectomy, adenoidectomy and middle ear procedures for both children and adults.
   

Together, these doctors allow parents to choose a profile that best matches their child’s needs – from recurrent throat infections and adenoids to hearing issues.

You can also browse all ENT doctors at Magrabi using the
“Our Doctors” ENT page
and filter by branch and subspecialty.
 

Modern diagnostic tools and child-focused pathways
 

In addition to medical expertise, Magrabi’s ENT services in Riyadh offer:

• Nasal endoscopy when needed to assess adenoids and nasal passages more accurately
• Paediatric hearing tests to clarify whether hearing loss contributes to speech or learning difficulties
• Operating theatres and post-operative care designed with children in mind, including protocols aimed at reducing pain and supporting faster recovery where possible
   

This combination helps doctors make more precise decisions between continued medical therapy, watchful waiting, or recommending surgery at the right time.
 

Short stories from parents
 

Real-life experiences often mean more than statistics. Many parents share comments like:
 

• Sara, 36, about Dr Wajdan Al Bahri

“Dr Wajdan really took the time to explain what was happening with my son’s adenoids and how we would move step by step. I felt she understood children, not just the medical report.”
 

• Ahmed, 41, about Dr Alaa Alnaggar

“I was very nervous about the idea of surgery for my son. Dr Alaa showed us the tests, explained why the operation was needed, and never rushed us. After the surgery we saw a huge difference in his breathing and energy.”
 

• Reem, 33, about Dr Rym Zouari

“Dr Rym explained my daughter’s hearing test results in very simple terms and gave us a clear plan. It was the first time I felt someone really understood our concerns and guided us step by step.”
 

These kinds of experiences highlight why many families in Riyadh feel more confident choosing an ENT doctor for their child within a specialised setting rather than in isolation.
 

If you would like to book a similar assessment for your child, you can use the online booking system
or request an appointment through the ENT services page.

 

FAQs about ENT doctors for children in Riyadh
 

Who is the best ENT doctor for children in Riyadh?

There is no single doctor who is “the best” for every child. The right choice depends on your child’s specific problem (for example, adenoids, tonsillitis, ear infections or hearing loss) and on how comfortable you feel with the doctor’s explanation and style.

At Magrabi in Riyadh, many families recommend
Dr Alaa Alnaggar
for his calm manner and transparent explanations. However, the best doctor for your child will always be the one whose expertise matches your child’s condition and with whom you feel you can communicate easily.

You can review all Magrabi ENT doctors and choose by branch and subspecialty on the
ENT “Our Doctors” page.
 

When should I take my child to a paediatric ENT doctor?

You should consider an ENT consultation if your child has:

• Loud or persistent snoring
• Mouth breathing at night
• Recurrent ear infection
• Noticeable hearing difficulties
• Speech delay or regression
• Chronic nasal blockage that does not respond to simple treatment
   

Early assessment can prevent long-term problems with hearing, sleep and speech.
 

Does every child with enlarged tonsils or adenoids need surgery?

No. Some children can be managed with medical treatment and observation. Surgery (such as tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy) is usually considered when:

• Breathing or sleep is significantly affected
• Infections are very frequent or severe
• Complications such as poor growth or significant daytime symptoms appear
   

The decision should always be based on an individual assessment by a paediatric ENT doctor.
 

Does speech delay always mean there is a hearing problem?

Not always. Speech delay can have several causes, but hearing problems (such as fluid behind the eardrum or repeated ear infections) are common and should be ruled out early. That is why ENT assessment and a formal hearing test are often recommended for children with delayed speech.
 

Are tonsil and adenoid surgeries safe for children?

Tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy are among the most common paediatric ENT surgeries worldwide. When performed in a hospital with experienced ENT surgeons, paediatric anaesthetists and appropriate monitoring, they are generally very safe. Your doctor should discuss the expected benefits, possible risks and recovery steps so you can make an informed decision.

 

Conclusion

 

Choosing a paediatric ENT doctor in Riyadh is an important step in protecting your child’s breathing, sleep, hearing and speech development. By focusing on five key criteria – paediatric experience, child-friendly communication, clear treatment planning, a properly equipped hospital environment and real-world feedback from other parents – you can make a more confident and informed choice.

When your child’s condition requires more detailed evaluation or potential surgery, a specialised setting like Magrabi’s ENT services in Riyadh offers the advantage of experienced ENT doctors, audiology services, paediatric anaesthesia and integrated care from the first appointment through to recovery.

 

For many families, the simplest next step is to arrange an assessment and discuss their child’s symptoms with a specialist they trust.

You can: Book an appointment online, or Learn more about ENT services at Magrabi.

 

 

References
 

• Saudi Ministry of Health – Patient education resources
• Saudi Food and Drug Authority – Medicines and safety information
• American Academy of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS)
• Mayo Clinic – ENT and paediatric ENT information

 

Medical review
 

The medical information in this article has been reviewed by Dr Hesham, ENT Department, Magrabi.

Written by Magrabi Health editorial team .

 

Medical disclaimer
 

This article is intended for general health education only and does not replace a personal consultation or examination by a qualified doctor. If you are concerned about your child’s symptoms, please seek medical advice from a healthcare professional.