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Clinical practice: an approach to stridor in infants and children

An Boudewyns1, Jozef Claes, Paul Van de Heyning

  • 1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Antwerp University Hospital, Wilrijkstraat 10, 2650 Edegem, Belgium. an.boudewyns@uza.be

European Journal of Pediatrics
|September 19, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Stridor, a breathing sound from airway obstruction, requires prompt pediatrician evaluation to assess severity and identify underlying causes. Early diagnosis and intervention are crucial for preventing respiratory failure in infants and children.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Otolaryngology
  • Respiratory Medicine

Background:

  • Stridor is an abnormal breathing sound indicating airway obstruction.
  • Causes can range from congenital issues to acquired conditions like infections or foreign body inhalation.
  • It can originate in the extrathoracic or intrathoracic airways.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To outline the pediatrician's role in managing noisy breathing in children.
  • To emphasize stridor as a sign requiring diagnosis, not a condition itself.
  • To guide the approach to assessing and managing pediatric stridor.

Main Methods:

  • Clinical assessment of respiratory compromise.
  • History taking and physical examination.
  • Referral for upper and lower airway endoscopy when significant lesions are suspected.

Main Results:

  • Pediatricians must differentiate between benign and serious causes of stridor.
  • Immediate intervention may be necessary to prevent respiratory failure.
  • Collaboration with ENT specialists is key for diagnosis and management.

Conclusions:

  • Stridor necessitates a thorough diagnostic workup to identify the underlying cause.
  • Effective management involves assessing severity, performing timely investigations, and multidisciplinary collaboration.
  • Understanding the etiology guides appropriate treatment strategies and follow-up care.

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