Clinical Findings in a Patient with a Congenital Laryngotracheoesophageal Cleft

 

Clinical findings seen with a congenital laryngotracheoesophageal cleft:

(1) aspiration

(2) intermittent cyanosis and/or respiratory distress

(3) increased saliva production

(4) recurrent pneumonia

(5) voiceless and/or hurried crying in an infant; voice change when older

(6) inspiratory and/or expiratory stridor

(7) impaired swallowing (feeding difficulty as an infant)

(8) esophageal intubation

 

where:

• The increased saliva production may be due to an unwillingness to swallow rather than increased secretion.