Neonatal stridor. Five-year experience at King Edward VIII Hospital, Durban

During the period January 1984-January 1989, 110 neonates were referred to the ENT clinic at King Edward VIII Hospital, Durban, with symptoms of upper airway obstruction. The medical records of these patients were reviewed in order to document the clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation, pathological findings and therapeutic approach. All patients underwent a thorough clinical examination, postero-anterior and lateral chest radiography, soft-tissue lateral radiography of the neck and endoscopic evaluation. We outline our findings and briefly describe management. Of interest is the high incidence of vallecular cysts in this series (15%) compared with others.