A congenital weakness and floppiness of the walls of the trachea (main airway).

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Tracheomalacia occurs when the cartilage in the trachea fails to develop or mature in a timely manner, resulting in the wall of the trachea being floppy rather than relatively rigid. Children with tracheomalacia have noisy breathing (high-pitched sounds when breathing, called stridor , and rattling noisy breaths) that becomes even worse if they develop upper respiratory infections . Tracheomalacia generally resolves by itself. As the tracheal cartilage strengthens and the trachea grows, the noisy respirations and breathing difficulties cease.

Signs and tests

Physical examination confirms the symptoms. Testing may not be necessary unless symptoms are severe or worsen. In that case, it may be necessary to look for a more serious cause; consultation with a pediatric otolaryngologist (Ear-Nose-Throat doctor) would be suggested.

Treatment

No specific treatment is indicated.

Expectations (prognosis)

Symptoms should generally decrease over time and usually completely resolve by the time the child is 2 years old. Symptoms may be worse with upper respiratory infections. Noisy breathing may be more prominent with crying.

Complications

Aspiration of feedings and subsequent aspiration pneumonia can occur in these children.

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if your child breathes in an abnormal manner. If breathing difficulties are present or develop, this can become an urgent or emergency condition.