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Stridor in ChildrenWhat is stridor in children?Stridor is a noisy or high-pitched sound with breathing. It is a sign that the upper airway is partially blocked. It may involve the nose, mouth, sinuses, voice box (larynx), or windpipe (trachea).What causes stridor in a child?Stridor can be caused by many things. The following are some of the more common causes of stridor in children:
Other conditions may also cause stridor. For example, problems with the brain may interfere with normal breathing. Or an allergic reaction may cause swelling of the airways. And tumors may also block the airways. Which children are at risk for stridor?The upper airway in a child is shorter and narrower than that of an adult. Because of this, a child is more likely to have problems with blockage of the airway.What are the symptoms of stridor in a child?The main symptom of stridor is the noise that is heard while your child breathes. The sound of stridor depends on where the blockage is in your child’s upper respiratory tract. If your child has stridor that comes back, he or she may have trouble eating and drinking, and poor weight gain. How is stridor diagnosed in a child?The healthcare provider will ask about your child’s symptoms and health history. He or she will give your child a physical exam. The provider may refer you to an ear, nose, and throat specialist (ENT). If your child has stridor, the healthcare provider may order tests to find the cause. The tests may include:
How is stridor treated in a child?Treatment will depend on your child’s symptoms, age, and general health. It will also depend on how severe the condition is. Your child’s healthcare provider may simply watch and recheck your child for certain conditions that cause stridor. Treatment may include:
What are the possible complications of stridor in a child?If left untreated, stridor can block the child’s airway. This can be life-threatening or even cause death.When should I call my child’s healthcare provider?Call your child’s healthcare provider if your child makes a noisy or high-pitched sound while breathing. Call 911 or get medical help right away if your child has signs or symptoms of severe blockage of the airway. These signs may include:
Key points about stridor in children
Next stepsTips to help you get the most from a visit to your child’s healthcare provider:
What disease is associated with stridor?Causes of stridor in toddlers and children
When it's not caused by a condition that they were born with, stridor in toddlers and infants is typically because of an infection like croup, papillomatosis, or epiglottitis. An injury, inhaling food, or inhaling an object can also lead to stridor.
What is a common acute viral infection in children characterized by the obstruction of the larynx and stridor?Croup is a common childhood disease characterized by sudden onset of a distinctive barky cough that is usually accompanied by inhalation stridor, hoarse voice, and respiratory distress resulting from upper airway obstruction that worsens at night.
What is the most common cause of stridor?Stridor is a sign of upper airway obstruction. In children, laryngomalacia is the most common cause of chronic stridor, while croup is the most common cause of acute stridor.
What acute viral infection of early childhood is marked by stridor?The term croup now generally refers to an acute respiratory tract illness characterized by a distinctive barking cough, hoarseness, and inspiratory stridor in a young child, usually between 6 months and 3 years old.
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