Laryngeal clefts in Prader–Willi syndrome: Feeding difficulties and aspiration not always caused by hypotonia

Abstract

Feeding difficulties, aspiration, and failure to thrive in infancy are commonly seen in patients with Prader–Willi Syndrome (PWS) and attributed to hypotonia. Patients with PWS and laryngeal clefts were identified by review of medical records at three tertiary care children's hospitals between 2017 and 2022. We present three patients with PWS with feeding difficulties who were also found to have laryngeal clefts which likely contributed to their feeding difficulties. Additional factors such as airway anomalies should be considered in patients with PWS, especially when swallowing dysfunction, dysphagia, or abnormal swallow evaluations are present.