Stridor is noisy breathing due to airway obstruction, and may be caused by a
vast array of pathologies. Children present with stridor along a continuum of acuity and
severity. Causes of acute stridor include infections and foreign bodies. Chronic stridor
may be due to a wide array of functional and anatomic anomalies, with common causes
including laryngomalacia, recurrent respiratory papillomatosis, subglottic stenosis,
vocal fold paralysis, and airway hemangioma. Laryngomalacia is far and away the most
common cause for chronic stridor in the infant.
In order to correctly diagnose and manage the stridulous child, a detailed history regarding
the onset, progression, and nature of the stridor, and a thorough physical examination,
potentially including laryngoscopy must be performed. Management must start with
ensuring a safe and secure airway, followed by correction of the underlying cause.
Keywords: Stridor, airway, laryngotracheitis, croup, epiglottitis, bacterial
tracheitis, airway foreign body, laryngomalacia, recurrent respiratory
papillomatosis, subglottic stenosis, vocal fold paralysis, vocal cord paralysis,
hemangioma, laryngoscopy, bronchoscopy, supraglottoplasty, tracheotomy.
