LaryngomalaciaLaryngomalacia is, essentially, the congenital condition of being born with a soft larynx. This voice disorder manifests itself as “inspiratory stridor which generally worsens with eating, crying, lying on the back and restlessness”. Laryngomalacia can usually be recognized by a high-pitched whistling sound, caused by air trying to flow through a restricted space due to obstruction of the larynx folding due to weakness. This sign of laryngomalacia is also known as stridor. “Laryngomalacia is the most common cause of stridor in newborns, affecting 45% to 75% of all infants with congenital stridor.” In a normal infant, the larynx would be held open by the sturdy cartilage located in the laryngeal region of the throat. Laryngomalacia can be seen at birth, but is usually diagnosed around four months of age. Symptoms of laryngomalacia include cough, regurgitation during feeding, stridor, cyanosis, and gastroesophageal reflux. “Symptoms begin at birth or during the first weeks of life, peak between 6 and 8 months of age, and usually disappear by 12 to 24 months. » The presence of laryngomalacia can also sometimes be attributed to sleep apnea and feeding problems. (Landry and Thompson, 2011) “Laryngomalacia presents a spectrum of disease that can be divided into mild, moderate, and severe categories. These categories are not based on the amount of stridor but rather on associated dietary and obstructive symptoms. Mild laryngomalacia may be described as having "inconsequential inspiratory stridor", meaning the infant will exhibit stridor but it will not affect their ability to breathe, and moderate laryngomalacia may be classified by showing signs of stridor and diet-related problems that can usually be improved by acid supplementation...... middle of paper ......iation techniques.ReferencesGoudy, S. and Wright, C. (2012). Congenital laryngomalacia: duration of symptoms and need for surgery. Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology, 121(1), 57-60. Groblewski, J., Shah, R. and Zalzal, G. (2009). Microdebrider-assisted supraglottoplasty for laryngomalacia. Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology, 118(8), 592-597. Landry, A. and Thompson, D. (2011). Laryngomalacia: presentation, spectrum and management of the disease. International Journal of Pediatrics, 2012, 1-6. Richter, G., Rutter, M., Thompson, D. and Wooten, C. (2009). Impact of supraglottoplasty on aspiration in severe laryngomalacia. Annals of Otology, Rhinology & Laryngology, 118(4), 259-266. Zalzal G, Collins W. (2005). Microdebrider-assisted supraglottoplasty. International Journal of Pediatric Otolaryngology and Laryngology. 69, 305-309.