[Management of stridor]

Abstract

Pediatric stridor is usually due to benign laryngomalacia. This pathology of unknown origin usually heals spontaneously during the first 18 months of life. Mild laryngomalacia is characterized by normal weight growth, the absence of sleep apneas and of associated swallowing or neurological disorders. Medical treatment is sufficient to release symptoms. Severe clinical forms are more rare, representing about 10 % of cases. They require an endoscopic evaluation of the upper airway under general anesthesia, as well as an endoscopic suppraglottoplasty. Non-invasive ventilation is an interesting additional tool in case of surgical failures or in some infants with comorbid conditions.