Clinical Characteristics and Associated Congenital Lesions with Tracheomalacia in Infants

Abstract

To describe clinical presentation, bronchoscopy findings and associated anomalies in cases of congenital tracheomalacia in infants (age <1y). Hospital record review of 88 infants (mean age 8 mo, 57 males) diagnosed as having tracheomalacia by flexible bronchoscopy between 2012 and 2015. 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. 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.