Question
My baby is now 97 days old and has felt rough breathing since birth. Lately, he has had a cold with a runny nose and cough. The doctor prescribed medicine to clear the lungs and resolve phlegm, but the sound in his throat seems heavier, and he chokes while breastfeeding or drinking water, coughing up a lot of sputum-like substances. He also snores during his afternoon nap. The examination says it’s congenital laryngomalacia and recommends supplementing with calcium and cod liver oil. What should I do?
Answer
Hoarseness is an important symptom of laryngeal obstruction, caused by the rapid passage of air through the vocal cords. The child seems more in line with the symptoms of congenital laryngeal hypoplasia. This is due to foreign bodies and inflammatory infections, which require treatment based on the condition. If it is caused by tumor compression or vocal cord paralysis, immediate tracheotomy should be performed to prevent asphyxiation due to oxygen deficiency, which can be life-threatening.