Abstract

Introduction

Stridor is defined as high pitched noise generated due to turbulent flow of air through a partial obstruction of the airway in larynx or trachea.¹ 

Stridor is one of the life threatening symptoms presenting to the Emergency Department. Its presence indicates an obstruction of the airway. Stridor is a manifestation of foreign body obstruction, severe anaphylaxis and infections such as viral croup, acute epiglottitis and acute tracheitis.^2,3

It is more common in males than females and about 15% of patients have a strong family history of croup. Epiglottitis was once one of the most common infectious causes of upper airway obstruction but now occurs much less frequently. It affects approximately 1.3 out of every 100,000 children per year.⁴ 

Foreign body aspiration is the most common non-infectious cause of upper airway obstruction which may or may not result in stridor, and causes the deaths of more than 150 children per year.⁵

Laryngomalacia and tracheomalacia are the most prevalent causes of congenital stridor, accounting for 60% of cases.⁶