TY - CHAP M1 - Book, Section TI - Disorders Causing Airway Obstruction A1 - Aujla, Shean J. A1 - Garrod, Andrea A2 - Kline, Mark W. PY - 2018 T2 - Rudolph's Pediatrics, 23e AB - It is important to recognize the differences between the pediatric and adult upper airways to fully understand why even a relatively minor obstruction can cause significant airway compromise in children. The pediatric airway is shorter and narrower, and the larynx is placed more anterior than in adults. Young children, and infants especially, have a large tongue in relation to the small oropharynx. They also have a larger epiglottis. Signs of partial inspiratory obstruction include stridor (a high-pitched sound heard on inhalation), hoarseness, and increased work of breathing (suprasternal and intercostal retractions). Stridor can be inspiratory or expiratory, depending on whether the obstruction is supraglottic or subglottic, respectively. If the obstruction is severe or near-complete, worsening agitation, cyanosis, and respiratory failure likely will occur. Although acute stridor usually is infectious in etiology, other disorders may be present, especially when symptoms are severe or persistent. This chapter discusses inspiratory airway obstruction of infectious and noninfectious origin. SN - PB - McGraw-Hill Education CY - New York, NY Y2 - 2024/03/29 UR - accesspediatrics.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1182916362 ER -