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Congenital and acquired developmental problems of the upper airway in newborns and infants

Marie Lyons1, Petros V Vlastarakos, Thomas P Nikolopoulos

  • 1ENT Dept., Lister Hospital, Stevenage, UK.

Early Human Development
|September 29, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Congenital and acquired upper airway problems in newborns and infants can be life-threatening. Prompt specialist evaluation and management are crucial for these challenging pediatric airway conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Pulmonology
  • Neonatology
  • Otolaryngology

Background:

  • Neonatal and infant upper airway obstruction presents significant diagnostic and management challenges.
  • Congenital and acquired conditions affect various airway levels, from nasal passages to the lower respiratory tract.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To comprehensively review current knowledge on congenital and acquired upper airway developmental issues in newborns and infants.
  • To outline the spectrum of causes, diagnostic approaches, and therapeutic strategies for pediatric airway obstruction.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of congenital and acquired pediatric upper airway disorders.
  • Synthesis of information on etiology, clinical presentation, and management options.

Main Results:

  • Identified causes include choanal atresia, craniofacial syndromes (Apert, Crouzon), Pierre-Robin syndrome, Down syndrome, and laryngeal anomalies (laryngomalacia, vocal cord palsy, subglottic stenosis/hemangioma).
  • Lower airway issues like tracheo/bronchomalacia were also noted.
  • Management strategies range from observation and conservative measures to chest physiotherapy, CPAP ventilation, and surgical intervention.

Conclusions:

  • Upper airway diseases in this population are potentially life-threatening and diagnostically complex.
  • Establishing a secure airway is paramount, followed by thorough assessment and tailored management.
  • Early referral to specialized tertiary care centers is recommended, especially when local resources are limited.
Abstract

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