Laryngomalacia

The pediatrician and the neonatologist are the specialists who evaluate laryngomalacia, the most common cause of noisy breathing in infants. It occurs when the tissues of the larynx are still soft and partially collapse during breathing, producing a characteristic sound.

How it presents:

• A high-pitched sound when inhaling, especially when lying down or feeding
• Breathing that seems noisier with crying or exertion
• In some cases, difficulty feeding or reflux

When to pay attention: When the sound is accompanied by fatigue while feeding, breathing pauses, or poor weight gain.

Which specialists treat it? In addition to the pediatrician and the neonatologist, the pediatric pulmonologist and the pediatric surgeon may be involved. Having a professional examine the baby makes it possible to confirm the source of the sound and provide appropriate follow-up.