A 3-year-old child presents with inspiratory stridor that is worse when lying supine and improves in the prone position. The stridor is soft and musical, present since birth. The most likely diagnosis is:

• A Subglottic haemangioma
• B Bilateral vocal cord palsy
• C Tracheal stenosis
• D Laryngomalacia ✓

Explanation

Laryngomalacia is the most common cause of congenital stridor, accounting for approximately 60–75% of cases. The characteristic feature is inspiratory stridor that worsens in the supine position (due to gravitational collapse of the supraglottic structures) and improves in the prone position. It typically presents within the first few weeks of life and usually resolves spontaneously by 18–24 months.

Reference: Dhingra Diseases of Ear, Nose and Throat, 7th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.