Congenital malformations of the airway and chest wall

Abstract

Malformations of the neonatal airway and chest wall are uncommon but invariably serious. As a generalisation, the earlier a congenital anomaly of the airway presents the more ominous it is likely to be. Many infants will have other major congenital malformations. Management is complex and successful treatment requires careful consideration by a multidisciplinary team that must include a sympathetic paediatric intensive care unit. The first part of this chapter deals with these conditions. The majority of chest wall deformities in children are acquired rather than congenital. The second part of the chapter deals with true congenital deformities, many of which are due to skeletal dysplasias.