Floppy Larynx - anyone..??

**Delilah_27** · 11-11-2006, 09:40am

Hi all,

Hope you are all well

I posted a while ago about Joshua still sounding very mucousy, and breathing very loudly since birth and so on.
Both Midwives and Health Visitors have dismissed it as mucous from the amniotic sac.

Anyway, not happy with that I took Joshua to see my Dr on Monday 6th, who said that I was right to bring him in, it's not mucous it's 'Larynx Myelitis' also known as Floppy Larynx.
Something to do with an extra flap/fold in the larynx area.

It causes very harsh, noisy breathing, which is much worse after a feed and at night. He permanently sounds like an 80 year old man with a phlegmmy throat and chest.

And he holds his breath, which is very frightening!

He's seeing a paediatrician at the end of the month to discuss it.

Is anyone familiar with this at all?

Joshua is a lovely placid little boy, he feeds fairly well, most of the time, but the floppy larynx does affect his feeding at times.
He sleeps really well, but he sounds so loud, so of course when he does hold his breath we really know about it!

Anyway, just updating really.

Delilah.xx

**Petrus** · 11-11-2006, 09:51am

No advice i'm afraid hun , but

at the MW and HV!!!

Glad you're seeing a paeditrician though.

**Gemiloch** · 11-11-2006, 09:52am

Floppy larynx has been mentionned in our lectures and from what we've been told it usually resolves within the first year without any medical intervention. As long as Joshua puts on weight and grows at the expected rates then he will just (I don't mean to be flippant here, I hope you understand) be monitored by the docs.

I know his breathing probably sounds alarming sometimes and when it holds his breath it must be terrifying

If there's anything I can do or find out just give me a shout. My lecturers are pretty helpful so if you have any questions I should be able to get an answer from one of them quite quickly.

hth

Gemx

(PS I'm a third year speech and language therapy student btw)

**Delilah_27** · 11-11-2006, 03:40pm

Thanks Shelley, and Thanks Gem.

I'm much more reassured now I know that it is generally something that they grow out of, and shouldnt affect him too much.

Thanks Gem for offering to get me more info, that's really kind of you.
I spoke to my friend in New zealand a minute ago (he's a Dr) and he said that his son has it too, and that I mustn't worry. His son gets wheezy and breathless now and again, but on the whole it is improving (he's 18 months now).

So hopefully it'll reamain good.

All I need to do now is find a witty comment to shut the rude people up who are comenting on my gorgeous little boy's noisy breathing

What the hell is up with people, he's only 4.5 weeks old ffs, it could be life and death for all they know!

Idea's for witty retorts will be most gratefully recieved!

Otherwise I'll just have to start punching people!

Anyway, instead of worrying I'm off to have a bit of

and to put my feet up for a while as DH is out with both of them for an hour.

Thanks

D.xx

**Gemiloch** · 11-11-2006, 04:01pm

Hi D, I'm glad you are feeling a bit reassured now

the offer still stands if there is anything you would like to try and find out about it.

As for the rude people no witty retorts spring to mind immediately - I would go for punching them in the face personally - how dare they comment on your son's breathing

Enjoy your

and if I think of any witty retorts I'll come back with them.

Gemx

**Delilah_27** · 13-11-2006, 02:00pm

Actually Gemiloch there is one thing you could ask for me pretty please?

I'm just wondering how it affects their feeding (joshua has been formula fed from 2 weeks, he's now 5 weeks).

The amount of milk he is drinking has started to drop - I'm lucky if I can get him to drink 3oz a feed, he should be on 4 to 5 oz per feed.

I had him weighed today and although he has gained some weight, it's not enough.

He sometimes vomits up the entire feed, sometimes it's only some of it.
He coughs like an old man with a 30 a day habit, which can make him sick too.

If you can find anything for that I would very much appreciate it.

I'm still working on the witty comments as I still want to hit people!!

Thanks Gem,
Delilah.xx

**bluecow** · 13-11-2006, 02:12pm

My son had this Delilah.

It was noticable practically from birth but the midwives or HV didn't say anything about it so I thought it was normal.

It was only when I took him for his 6 week check that the doctor commented on it. He had 'squeaky' breathing (a bit like the Penguin squeaky toy in Toy Story 2!) He didn't hold his breath or anything but it was quite scary sometimes when it was very loud or stopped suddenly. He was breastfed but only fed for about 5-10 minutes at a time and often did bring a lot back up, which I thought was unusual for breastfed babies so maybe that was the cause.

He was referred to the hospital for investigation, a really quick examination where they gave him a special dummy with a hole in and a camera was inserted down his throat. Thankfully the doctor said it didn't need any treatment and it would go away as he got older, but if not we were to go back. He is now almost 11 months and it has gone completely.

It can be scary, but thankfully most babies do outgrow it without any intervention.

to you.

Thankfully it wasn't too severe and no medical intervention was needed.

**Gemiloch** · 14-11-2006, 07:34pm

Hi Delilah

I am on placement tomorrow and my clinician specialises in babies/infants swallowing so hopefully she'll be able to answer your questions.

Gemx