Initial symptoms of a laryngeal cleft may include coughing (especially with feeding), feeding difficulties, and some degree of respiratory distress (depending on the depth of the cleft). Other signs and symptoms may include aspiration, recurrent lung infections, stridor, wheezing, failure to thrive, and cyanosis (particularly in those with other underlying health problems or malformations).[1][3][4][ Type III and IV clefts are associated with more severe respiratory symptoms, recurrent pneumonia, and excessive mucous in the lungs. Types III and IV usually become apparent within the first few days of life.[4]
This table lists symptoms that people with this disease may have. For most diseases, symptoms will vary from person to person. People with the same disease may not have all the symptoms listed. This information comes from a database called the Human Phenotype Ontology (HPO) . The HPO collects information on symptoms that have been described in medical resources. The HPO is updated regularly. Use the HPO ID to access more in-depth information about a symptom.
| Medical Terms | Other Names | Learn More: HPO ID |
|---|---|---|
| 80%-99% of people have these symptoms | ||
| Laryngomalacia |
Softening of voice box tissue
|
0001601 |
| Percent of people who have these symptoms is not available through HPO | ||
| Abnormality of the voice |
Voice abnormality
|
0001608 |
| Aspiration | 0002835 | |
| 0000007 | ||
| Cyanosis |
Blue discoloration of the skin
|
0000961 |
| Laryngeal stridor | 0006511 | |
If you need medical advice, you can look for doctors or other healthcare professionals who have experience with this disease. You may find these specialists through advocacy organizations, clinical trials, or articles published in medical journals. You may also want to contact a university or tertiary medical center in your area, because these centers tend to see more complex cases and have the latest technology and treatments.
If you can’t find a specialist in your local area, try contacting national or international specialists. They may be able to refer you to someone they know through conferences or research efforts. Some specialists may be willing to consult with you or your local doctors over the phone or by email if you can't travel to them for care.
You can find more tips in our guide, How to Find a Disease Specialist. We also encourage you to explore the rest of this page to find resources that can help you find specialists.
Support and advocacy groups can help you connect with other patients and families, and they can provide valuable services. Many develop patient-centered information and are the driving force behind research for better treatments and possible cures. They can direct you to research, resources, and services. Many organizations also have experts who serve as medical advisors or provide lists of doctors/clinics. Visit the group’s website or contact them to learn about the services they offer. Inclusion on this list is not an endorsement by GARD.
These resources provide more information about this condition or associated symptoms. The in-depth resources contain medical and scientific language that may be hard to understand. You may want to review these resources with a medical professional.
Questions sent to GARD may be posted here if the information could be helpful to others. We remove all identifying information when posting a question to protect your privacy. If you do not want your question posted, please let us know. Submit a new question
My son was diagnosed with a laryngeal cleft 4 months ago and I can't find much information about this condition. Everything I read is from a medical journal. I'm just looking for more information about laryngeal cleft. See answer
