Patricia, Severe Laryngomalacia and Subglottic Hemangioma

Laryngomalacia is the most frequent cause of noisy breathing or stridor in infants and children. It is the most common congenital anomaly or birth defect of the voice box or larynx. Laryngomalacia is best described as floppy tissue above the vocal cords. This floppy tissue falls into the airway when the infant breathes in. The cause of laryngomalacia and the reason why the tissue is floppy is unkn

own. The part of the nervous system that gives tone to the airway is most likely underdeveloped. Laryngomalacia can be mild, moderate or severe. 99% of infants with laryngomalacia have mild or moderate laryngomalacia. Only 1% of infants with laryngomalacia have severe laryngomalacia. Infants with severe laryngomalacia usually need surgery. Severe Laryngomalacia: Infants with severe laryngomalacia have noisy breathing or inspiratory stridor. They may also have:

• Feeding difficulties with poor weight gain
(failure to thrive)

• Significant chest and/or neck retractions
(chest and/or neck sinking in with breathing)

• Significant cyanosis (turning blue)

• Life threatening apnea (pauses in
breathing)

• Heart or lung problems from chronic
oxygen deprivation (low oxygen)

• Airway symptoms severe enough to cause
multiple visits to an emergency department
or hospital