What is Tracheomalacia?
My boy was diagnosed with this condition.
Tracheomalacia is the condition where flaccidity of the tracheal support cartilage leads to tracheal collapse, especially with increased airflow. Mostly common in newborn babies. This simply means your son or daughter's windpipe is floppy enough to decrease in width by 50% or more.
Daily, the trachea dilates slightly during inspiration and narrows slightly during expiration. Breathing in and out for those of you playing at home. These processes are exaggerated in tracheomalacia, leading to airway collapse on expiration.
The usual symptom of tracheomalacia is expiratory stridor. This was often confused in my child by us and friends/family with "ohh, isn't he making cute little bird noises".
Does it go away? Yes. But not overnight. It can take months, it could take a year or even years. But they older a baby gets, the stronger their cartilage becomes.
The condition is very common. Seek medical advice for any concerns you may have, especially whether you think your child may have this condition.
What is Vocal Cord Palsy?
My boy was also diagnosed with this condition, incorrectly. (Fyi, not Vocal Chord! drop the H..)
Vocal cord paralysis result from abnormal nerve input to the voice box muscles. Paralysis is the total interruption of nerve impulse, resulting in no movement. This paralysis can happen at any age, from birth to advanced age, in guys and gals, from a variety of causes.
In children, a false diagnosis can be given due to having such as narrow windpipe, that inflammation can appear and give false diagnosis. At least, that's what our doctors have told us.
The effect on patients may vary greatly as paralysis may not necessarily leave a person voiceless. The effect is mainly upon volume.
My boy will be heard over 15 loud speakers playing AC/DC music. He also has no hoarseness to his baby babble.
Again, seek medical advice for any concerns you may have, especially whether you think your child may have this condition.
