Laryngomalacia

Excerpt

Laryngomalacia ranks as the most prevalent cause of infant stridor. It is essential to make the diagnosis in early infancy as it may affect multiple aspects of growth and development. Stridor and noisy breathing are crucial symptoms to recognize as they may indicate varying degrees of respiratory compromise and may hint at the level of airway disruption. Thorough upper airway evaluation is necessary for children suspected of laryngomalacia for accurate diagnosis and proper treatment of the condition and any concurrent or underlying medical comorbidities. Laryngomalacia itself exists along a spectrum of severity. Watchful waiting may be all that is indicated for isolated, mild laryngomalacia. In contrast, severe laryngomalacia may increase the patient's work of breathing to such an extent that the majority of the caloric intake is expended on breathing, and the infant fails to thrive. Surgical intervention is necessary in these situations. This activity presents a general overview of the current diagnostic and management strategies for laryngomalacia in infants.