Congenital stridor

Abstract

Fifty‐two infants and children with stridor were examined. The median age was 5 months and the boy/girl ratio was 2:1. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy was performed when other diagnostic methods had failed to establish the origin of stridor. The most common cause of stridor was laryngornalacia, which was found in 34 children (65%). The most common form of laryngomalacia was due to large, floppy atytenoid cartilages; this was observed twice as often as other forms of laryngomalacia and boys suffered from this abnormality more than twice as often as girls. Children with laryngomalacia had significant weight (24%) and height (8%) deficits in comparison with the normal healthy population (P < 0.001). In all but four patients with laryngomalacia, blood gases were within normal limits. In 18 children (35%) stridor was not caused by laryngomalacia. This group showed significant etiologic heterogeneity. However, identification of the cause of stridor in these patients is important because specific treatment can be offered and prognosis depends on the type and cause of the anatomical and functional abnormality present. Pediatr Pulmonol. 1995; 20:220–224.