Subglottic stenosis in neonates and children. Clinical findings and therapy.

From 1978 through 1987, acquired subglottic stenosis was confirmed endoscopically in 31 children. The mean gestational age of the children was 32 weeks and mean birthweight 2,180 g. Of the children 84% were below 12 months of age at the time of diagnosis. Respiratory distress syndrome was confirmed in 17 children. Before diagnosis, 97% of the children had been treated by endotracheal intubation for ventilatory support, the mean duration of intubation being 37 days. In 10 children, subglottic stenosis was mild and mature and these children were followed up only. Endolaryngeal prosthesis was employed in 2 children and laryngotomy with autogenous bone graft in 5 children. Mean follow-up time was 5 years 4 months. At follow-up, 18 of the children showed good or excellent results.