Laryngomalacia is a relatively common condition in infants, affecting approximately 1 in every 2,000 babies. It is characterized by the softening of the tissues surrounding the larynx, which can cause breathing difficulties and noisy breathing sounds.
Read on if you want a comprehensive response
Laryngomalacia is a condition that affects infants, causing softening of the tissues surrounding the larynx, which can lead to breathing difficulties and noisy breathing sounds. While it may sound alarming, laryngomalacia is relatively common in babies, with an estimated occurrence of approximately 1 in every 2,000 births.
To shed more light on this condition, here are some interesting facts:
-
Symptoms: The most common symptoms of laryngomalacia include noisy breathing, often described as a high-pitched wheezing or a “crowing” sound when the baby inhales. Additionally, affected infants may experience stridor, a harsh vibrating sound during breathing, as well as frequent episodes of choking or laryngeal obstruction.
-
Age of Onset: Laryngomalacia typically becomes apparent within the first few weeks of a baby’s life, reaching its peak severity around two to four months of age. However, in some cases, the condition may not become noticeable until later, especially if the symptoms are mild.
-
Causes: The exact cause of laryngomalacia remains unknown. However, it is believed to occur due to the immaturity or floppiness of tissues in the larynx, making them more susceptible to collapse during breathing. It is not considered a result of parental actions or external factors.
-
Self-Limiting: In the majority of cases, laryngomalacia resolves on its own as the baby grows. By the age of 12 to 18 months, most infants show improvement, and the symptoms gradually disappear. Monitoring by a healthcare professional is usually recommended to ensure normal growth and development.
-
Treatment Options: Treatment for laryngomalacia depends on the severity of symptoms. In mild cases, no active treatment may be required, and the condition will resolve naturally. However, in more severe cases where breathing difficulties are significant, medical interventions such as medication or, in rare cases, surgical procedures may be recommended.
As a well-known resource states:
“Laryngomalacia is one of the most common causes of stridor in infants… Infants born prematurely are at a higher risk of developing this condition.”
And now, here is a table summarizing some key aspects of laryngomalacia:
| Aspect | Summary |
|---|---|
| Condition | Laryngomalacia |
| Prevalence | Approximately 1 in every 2,000 babies |
| Symptoms | Noisy breathing, high-pitched wheezing, stridor |
| Age of Onset | Within the first few weeks to months of life |
| Causes | Tissue immaturity/floppiness in the larynx |
| Spontaneous Resolution | Usually resolves by 12 to 18 months of age |
| Treatment | Observation, medication, or surgery if required |
In conclusion, while laryngomalacia is a fairly common condition among infants, it is important to assess and monitor the severity of symptoms to ensure the baby’s well-being. With time, most cases resolve on their own, allowing the little ones to grow and breathe more easily.
Video answer to your question
This video discusses the different types of noisy breathing in infants and when parents should be concerned. The types of noisy breathing mentioned include stertor, wheezing, and stridor. If parents have concerns about their infant’s breathing, it is advised to consult with a pediatrician or primary care provider. In some cases, a flexible fiber optic laryngoscopy may be recommended for further assessment. In most cases, no intervention is needed as laryngomalacia, a common cause of noisy breathing, is typically a benign condition that infants will outgrow on their own. However, in certain cases, medications or diet and behavior modifications may be suggested.
There are other opinions
Laryngomalacia is the most common cause of noisy breathing in infants. More than half of infants have noisy breathing during the first week of life, and most develop this by 2-4 weeks of age. Rarely, laryngomalacia occurs in older children, or adults, particularly those with other medical problems.
Most babies with laryngomalacia do not have trouble breathing or feeding, even though their breathing is noisy. Breathing usually gets noisier when the baby is crying, feeding, sleeping, lying down, or has an upper respiratory infection. Most babies with the condition have mild symptoms. A baby whose symptoms are more serious might have:
Most children outgrow laryngomalacia by 18 to 20 months of age. Symptoms include: Noisy breathing (stridor) — An audible wheeze when your baby inhales (breathes in). It is often worse when the baby is agitated, feeding, crying or sleeping on his back. Gastroesophageal reflux (spitting, vomiting and regurgitation)
In most cases, laryngomalacia in infants is not a serious condition — they have noisy breathing, but are able to eat and grow. For these infants, laryngomalacia will resolve without surgery by the time they are 18 to 20 months old. However, a small percentage of babies with laryngomalacia do struggle with breathing, eating and gaining weight.
About 99 percent of infants born with laryngomalacia have mild or moderate types. Mild laryngomalacia involves noisy breathing, but no other health problems. It’s usually outgrown within 18 months. Moderate laryngomalacia usually means there are some problems with feeding, regurgitation, GERD, and mild or moderate chest retractions.
Also, people ask
Vomiting or spitting up. Airway obstruction (from floppy voice box tissue) Feeding difficulties without poor weight gain. History of airway symptoms severe enough to warrant multiple visits to an emergency department or hospital.
Similar