airway obstruction in an infant

Last reviewed 01/2018

Upper airway: Congenital causes include:

  • laryngomalacia - the most common cause
  • subglottic stenosis
  • choanal atresia
  • laryngeal web
  • laryngeal cysts
  • vascular ring
  • vocal cord palsy

Acquired causes include:

  • pyrexial conditions:
    • epiglottitis
    • croup
    • laryngitis
  • apyrexial conditions:
    • foreign body
    • trauma
    • papillomata

Lower airway: Causes include:

  • asthma
  • foreign body