Flexible endoscopy of aerodigestive tract in small infants

BACKGROUND: Flexible endoscopy (FE) is a useful method for diagnosing airway problems. Congenital or acquired airway lesions in infants may lead to respiratory distress that requires comprehensive investigation and management. This study was designed to evaluate the use of FE in small infants. METHODS: Infants who had symptoms of respiratory distress and received FE when they were less than 1-year-old were studied and their medical history, diagnoses, interventions, and complications from FE were investigated. RESULTS: The study population consisted of 568 small infants (334 boys and 234 girls) who weighed 5.1 +/- 2.4 kg, and received FE when they were 4.5 +/- 3.6 months of age. Most patients (91.2%) received diagnostic FE and the remainder (8.8%) received therapeutic procedures. Stridor (38.0%) was the most common indication for FE and laryngomalacia (33.3%) was the most frequent finding. Synchronous FE diagnosis was found in 351 (61.8%) cases. No major complications associated with FE were found. CONCLUSION: Flexible endoscopy allows direct visualization of dynamic motion of the small aerodigestive tract. Laryngomalacia was the most common FE finding of respiratory distress in small infants. Synchronous FE lesions were frequently found in this young age group and it necessitated a thorough investigation of the entire aerodigestive tract.