A very common condition in young babies where the laryngeal tissues above the voice box (the voice box contains two vocal cords and the epiglottis tissue) becomes soft.
This tissue then flops into the airways causing semi blocking of the airways and breathing difficulties.
Typically the folds of tissue between the front and back of the voice box (aryepiglottic folds) are shortened. This causes the epiglottis to curl inward (become “omega-shaped”) and causes the tissue over the cartilage in the back of the voice box (arytenoids) to suck into the airway.
It is thought to occur due to an abnormal development of the cartilage of the larynx or any other part of the voice box.
Maybe due to a nerves are not fully developed in this tissue.
The condition first appears when babies are two weeks old.
The problem may worsen when the child is on their back or when upset and crying.
The noisy breathing tends to get louder in the first several months after birth.
Babies with laryngomalacia may also pull in around the neck or chest when inhaling (called retractions).
Healthline
Please be vigilant of noisy breathing and rasping noise and/or high pitched noise especially when breathing in during the first year of life, it is rare to occur in children and adults
Pausing while breathing (apnea) especially if longer than 10 seconds?
Turning blue, or cyanosis (caused by low oxygen levels in the blood)?
Pull in around the neck or chest when inhaling?
This condition can occur with:
Gastro-esophageal reflux disease (GERD) – long term Heartburn and child may vomit (which then can lead to: pneumonitis – asthma symptoms and /or cracking sound in lungs and/or tiredness and/or finger clubbing)
Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice
Detailed Information
Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Laryngomalacia in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).
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