Laryngomalacia presenting as severe uncontrolled asthma

Congenital laryngomalacia is the most common cause of stridor in infants and usually resolves without therapy by 12-18 months of age. However, a recent study found that laryngomalacia may leave structural and functional traces with increased risk of later respiratory symptoms, suggesting that late-onset laryngomalacia may represent long-term consequences of milder or even undiagnosed forms. Unusual cases demonstrated that inspiratory stridor developed subsequent to upper respiratory tract infections. The lack of airway hyperresponsiveness in adulthood also raised questions regarding the diagnosis of childhood asthma. Laryngomalacia should be distinguished from severe asthma.