Question
Is the occurrence of hoarseness in newborns common? A female infant was diagnosed with congenital laryngomalacia and is currently receiving treatment at Bao’an Hospital. The family wants to know the prevalence of this condition and the time required for treatment.
Answer
Newborn hoarseness may be associated with congenital cartilage maldevelopment, manifesting as inspiratory laryngomalacia in infants shortly after birth. This may sometimes be accompanied by indentation in the supraclavicular fossa, sternal notch, or below the xiphoid process during inspiration. This symptom usually appears soon after birth and gradually disappears as the laryngeal cartilage develops with age. Most affected infants have good overall health, but upper respiratory tract infections may worsen the condition, so it should be given due attention.