Pulmonary arterial pressure in infants with laryngomalacia.

OBJECTIVE: Persistent upper airway obstruction may lead to increased pulmonary arterial pressure in childhood. Laryngomalacia is one of the most common causes of transient upper airway obstruction by laryngeal blockage in infants. The aim of the study is to evaluate the pulmonary arterial pressures in infants with laryngomalacia during infancy period.

METHODS: Fifteen infants with laryngomalacia and 30 healthy controls were enrolled into this study. The pulmonary arterial pressures were measured by using Doppler echocardiography. Infants were also evaluated by clinical investigations, telecardiography and electrocardiography.

RESULTS: Our results showed that infants with laryngomalacia may have significantly higher pulmonary arterial pressure than healthy subjects. Pressures of patient group were significantly decreased at the end of infancy period.

CONCLUSIONS: Increased pulmonary arterial pressure levels due to laryngomalacia are reversible by during developmental process. Therefore, in symptomatic period, evaluation of infants with laryngomalacia by using Doppler echocardiography may be useful for monitoring pulmonary arterial pressure and following up the clinical outcome.