Children with Persistent Stridor

Abstract

Stridor is a high-pitched musical respiratory sound heard from a distance or during auscultation when there is extrathoracic airway obstruction. Stridor may be considered persistent when it last for more than 4 weeks. Assessment of a patient with stridor requires a complete medical history and a systematic physical examination. The respiratory phase during which stridor manifests itself provides a clue to the site of the airway obstruction. Laryngomalacia is the most common cause of chronic stridor during infancy. Additional evaluations using imaging or invasive procedures depend on the age of the patient and the severity of the clinical situation.