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Laryngomalacia: a cause for early near miss for SIDS
Y Sivan1, J Ben-Ari, T M Schonfeld
1Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Beilinson Medical Center, Petah Tiqva, Israel.
Insights
Laryngomalacia, a laryngeal condition, may cause recurrent apnea in infants. This study identified it as a cause of obstructive sleep apnea in near-miss sudden infant death syndrome cases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Sleep Medicine
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Recurrent apnea of infancy is a serious condition in newborns.
- Near-miss sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) requires thorough investigation.
- Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can manifest in infants.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the cause of recurrent apnea in infants with normal physical and laboratory findings.
- To determine the site of airway obstruction in these infants.
- To explore the potential link between laryngomalacia and early-onset apnea.
Main Methods:
- Polygraphic sleep monitoring was used to diagnose sleep apnea.
- Fiberoptic endoscopy was performed to visualize the upper airway.
- Case study of six infants with recurrent apnea of infancy.
Main Results:
- All six infants exhibited recurrent obstructive sleep apnea.
- Fiberoptic endoscopy revealed airway obstruction at the laryngeal orifice.
- Laryngomalacia was identified as the cause of obstruction in all cases.
Conclusions:
- Laryngomalacia is a potential cause of early apnea of infancy.
- Obstructive sleep apnea due to laryngomalacia should be considered in near-miss SIDS cases.
- Further research is warranted to confirm this association.
Abstract:
Six infants had recurrent apnea of infancy episodes (near miss sudden infant death syndrome) during their neonatal period. Physical examination and laboratory investigation were normal. Polygraphic sleep monitoring revealed recurrent obstructive sleep apnea. These infants underwent fiberoptic endoscopy which showed that airway obstruction occurred at the laryngeal orifice as a result of laryngomalacia. It is suggested that laryngomalacia may be a cause for early apnea of infancy.