Clinical Characteristics and Associated Congenital Lesions with Tracheomalacia in Infants

Indian Pediatr. 2018 Oct 15;55(10):883-884.

Abstract

Objective: To describe clinical presentation, bronchoscopy findings and associated anomalies in cases of congenital tracheomalacia in infants (age <1y).

Methods: Hospital record review of 88 infants (mean age 8 mo, 57 males) diagnosed as having tracheomalacia by flexible bronchoscopy between 2012 and 2015.

Results: The predominant features were wheeze (57.9%), stridor (42.1%), cough (38.6%), pneumonia (29.5%) and collapse (12.5%). On bronchoscopy, malacia was observed in lower half of trachea in 51 (57.9%) infants. Synchronized airway lesions observed were laryngomalacia (30.7%) and bronchomalacia (3.4%). 15 (17%) infants had associated congenital heart disease and 21 (23.8%) required care in intensive care unit.

Conclusion: Wheeze,stridor and cough are the main symptoms in tracheomalacia. Laryngomalacia and congenital heart diseases are the most common other anomalies associated in these infants.

MeSH terms

  • Bronchoscopy / methods
  • Female
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / complications
  • Heart Defects, Congenital / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Trachea
  • Tracheomalacia / complications
  • Tracheomalacia / diagnosis*

Supplementary concepts

  • Congenital tracheomalacia