Airway compromise from nasal obstruction in neonates and infants.
Nasal obstruction in neonates can cause significant airway compromise and even be life-threatening. In general, otolaryngologists are familiar with management of the neonate born with choanal atresia but there have been few reports and there are no guidelines for management of the neonate or young infant who presents with nasal obstruction and airway compromise but who does not have choanal atresia (NOWCA). This study demonstrates the difficulty in diagnosis, variability in severity of airway compromise, and delineates the problematic aspects of management.
Derkay
C S
CS
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Eastern Virginia Medical School, Norfolk 23507.
Grundfast
K M
KM
D000234:Adenoids / Q000473:pathology; D002754:Choanal Atresia / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy; D004487:Edema; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D015508:Nasal Obstruction / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D012123:Pulmonary Ventilation / Q000502:physiology; D012119:Respiration / Q000502:physiology; D012135:Respiratory Sounds