Laryngomalacia: Most Common Cause of Newborn Stridor

Laryngomalacia is identified as the most common congenital laryngeal abnormality causing laryngeal stridor in a newborn.

Laryngomalacia Details

• It involves the collapse of laryngeal structures (often the epiglottis and aryepiglottic folds) inward during inhalation due to weak cartilage.
• This collapse narrows the airway, producing the characteristic inspiratory stridor sound.
• Symptoms typically appear within the first few weeks of life and often improve spontaneously by 6-18 months.

Other Conditions Considered

While other congenital abnormalities can cause stridor, they are less frequent:

• Congenital subglottic stenosis: A narrowing below the vocal cords, less common than laryngomalacia.
• Congenital web: A membrane obstructing the airway, rarer than laryngomalacia.
• Congenital vocal cord paralysis: Impaired vocal cord movement, also less common than laryngomalacia as a cause of stridor.

Therefore, Laryngomalacia is the primary diagnosis to consider for inspiratory stridor in neonates.