[Stridor in children].

Stridor is the presenting symptom of abnormalities of larynx and trachea in children. The anatomical differences in size and consistency of the larynx play a crucial role in stridor in children as compared with adults. From 1983 to 1988, 81 children (65 males, 16 females) with severe or prolonged stridor were admitted to our hospital. Thorough examination, including endoscopy of larynx and trachea and radiology revealed various congenital abnormalities and acquired conditions as the cause of stridor. Congenital laryngeal anomalies accounted for stridor in 26 children, there were 12 children with congenital tracheal or vascular anomalies, 28 with infectious diseases and 15 with other diseases. Intubation and (or) tracheotomy were performed in one-third of the patients: 5 of them died of severe complications. For proper treatment of children with stridor it is essential to investigate its aetiology carefully.