Birth defect larynx

Laryngomalacia is the most common cause of noisy breathing in infants. More than half of infants have noisy breathing during the first week of life, and most develop this by 2-4 weeks of age. Rarely, laryngomalacia occurs in older children, or adults, particularly those with other medical problems.

Laryngomalacia is a congenital softening of the tissues of the larynx above the vocal cords and is the most common cause of noisy breathing in infancy.

Laryngomalacia is the most frequent cause of noisy breathing (stridor) in infants and children. It is the most common congenital anomaly (birth defect) of the voice box (larynx). Laryngomalacia is best described as floppy tissue above the vocal cords that falls into the airway when the infant breathes in. The cause of laryngomalacia and the reason why the tissue is floppy are unknown. Most likely, the part of the nervous system that gives tone to the airway is underdeveloped.

Esophageal atresia is a birth defect of the swallowing tube (esophagus) that connects the mouth to the stomach.

Learn about the programs and services available for laryngomalacia at Boston Children’s Hospital.

Congenital laryngeal stridor (also called laryngomalacia) results from a congenital (present at birth) anomaly of the larynx (voice box). A weakness in the structures in the larynx, can cause stridor. Stridor is a high-pitched sound that is heard best when the child breaths in (i

Laryngomalacia (LM) is the most frequent cause of noisy breathing in infants and children. Learn more about what causes laryngomalacia, common symptoms and treatment.

A collection of disease information resources and questions answered by our Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Specialists for Congenital laryngeal palsy