stridor
Pronunciation: STRY-dor
High-pitched breathing sound indicating upper airway obstruction, requiring urgent evaluation in pediatric patients.
Full Definition
Stridor is a high-pitched, musical breathing sound caused by turbulent airflow through a narrowed upper airway. In pediatric patients, stridor can be inspiratory, expiratory, or biphasic, with the timing helping localize the site of obstruction. Common causes include croup (laryngotracheobronchitis), epiglottitis, foreign body aspiration, subglottic stenosis, or vocal cord paralysis. Stridor represents a potentially life-threatening condition requiring immediate assessment and intervention. The sound is typically audible without a stethoscope and may be accompanied by other signs of respiratory distress such as retractions, cyanosis, or agitation.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish from wheeze, which typically indicates lower airway obstruction.
In Context
- "The child presented with biphasic stridor and drooling, raising concern for epiglottitis." — Emergency department triage note
- "Inspiratory stridor improved following nebulized racemic epinephrine treatment." — Treatment response documentation