What is the treatment for laryngomalacia?
How is laryngomalacia treated? While most cases of laryngomalacia resolve over time without surgery, more severe cases require a treatment called supraglottoplasty. This surgery involves cutting the folds of tissue to open the supraglottic airway (the area above the vocal chords).
Can babies with laryngomalacia breastfeed?
For babies with mild to moderate laryngomalacia, treatment is usually to wait and watch, weighing baby regularly to ensure the baby is taking enough milk to thrive, though I have worked with a few babies with severe laryngomalacia who needed to be hospitalised or have surgery.
Why do babies get laryngomalacia?
An exact cause is unknown, but experts believe it has something to do with the way the voice box develops in the womb. The muscles supporting the voice box may be too weak or relaxed. Additionally, GERD — which is common in babies with laryngomalacia — may make laryngomalacia symptoms worse.
Does laryngomalacia hurt?
The burning, irritating sensation is known more commonly as heartburn. GERD may cause a child to regurgitate and vomit and have trouble gaining weight. Other symptoms of more severe laryngomalacia include: difficulty feeding or nursing.
When do you refer to ENT for laryngomalacia?
Because laryngomalacia may not be present at birth and becomes more prominent in the first few weeks to months of life, it is imperative that the primary care provider evaluate the noisy breathing and if continued symptoms are present, referral to a specialist is appropriate.
At what age does laryngomalacia go away?
Laryngomalacia is a birth defect characterized by the softening of the tissues above the larynx (voice box). Babies with this condition usually have stridor (noisy or high-pitched breathing). Generally, laryngomalacia goes away on its own by the time your baby is one year old.