Laryngomalacia in a young adolescent

Laryngomalacia is a condition in the neonatal period causing collapse of supraglottic structures. In later childhood however, laryngomalacia is very rare but can still cause various significant symptoms. A 14-year old boy with limited exercise tolerance had been treated for years with pulmonary medication with unsatisfactory results. Once laryngomalacia was found, a supraglottic plasty was performed, causing the complaints to disappear completely. In children with dyspnea related to exercise that do not respond to medication, laryngomalacia should be considered as a diagnosis, even in later childhood. Considering the frequency of (exercise-related) respiratory difficulties during childhood, it is important for the general practitioner, pediatrician, otolaryngologist and pulmonologist to be aware of this unusual diagnosis at this age. When diagnosis is unclear, we recommend consultation of an otolaryngologist.