laryngomalacia
Pronunciation: lar-ing-goh-mah-LAY-shee-ah
Congenital softening of laryngeal cartilage causing inspiratory stridor and breathing difficulties, the most common cause of stridor in infants.
Full Definition
Laryngomalacia is the most common cause of inspiratory stridor in newborns and infants, characterized by immature, soft, and floppy supraglottic structures (particularly the aryepiglottic folds and epiglottis) that collapse inward during inspiration. The condition results from delayed maturation of the laryngeal cartilage and typically improves as the cartilage stiffens with age, usually resolving by 18-24 months. Symptoms include inspiratory stridor that worsens with agitation, crying, or supine positioning, and may improve with calm or prone positioning. While most cases are mild and self-limiting, severe cases may require surgical intervention (supraglottoplasty) to prevent feeding difficulties, failure to thrive, or respiratory compromise.
Usage
Usage note: Note that symptoms typically worsen with agitation and improve with calm states.
In Context
- "The infant's inspiratory stridor was diagnosed as laryngomalacia following flexible laryngoscopy." — ENT consultation note
- "Mild laryngomalacia typically resolves spontaneously as laryngeal cartilages mature during the first two years of life." — Patient education handout