Laryngeal Cleft Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment FAQs Definitions
Related Conditions
Reflux
Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is a common condition in infants, though more common in babies born with a laryngeal cleft. With GER, stomach contents come back up into the esophagus and sometimes all the way back into the mouth. GER may or may not cause symptoms in babies and is typically outgrown.
However, in a child with a laryngeal cleft, GER can cause a variety of problems. Because of the cleft between the esophagus and larynx, refluxed stomach contents may be aspirated into the lungs or cause other issues. In addition, if surgery is required to repair a child’s cleft, acidic reflux may cause healing difficulties. For these reasons and more, GER needs to be carefully managed in children with a laryngeal cleft.
Dysphagia
Swallowing difficulties, also known as dysphagia, are common in children born with a laryngeal cleft. Dysphagia makes the normally easy task of swallowing much more difficult. This condition is complex, with a wide variety of causes including anatomical abnormalities (such as a laryngeal cleft), delayed development, neuromuscular disorders, reflux, and more. This makes treatment for dysphagia challenging. It’s important to work with your child’s medical team to determine the cause of dysphagia and the appropriate treatment.
Airway Conditions
laryngomalacia, tracheomalacia, bronchomalacia (floppiness of the airway structures)
subglottic stenosis (narrowing below the vocal cords)
tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF)
esophageal atresia (EA)
reactive airway disease
Other Conditions
developmental delay
food allergies
food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES)
eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE)
Congenital Anomalies
Some children with a laryngeal cleft also have other congenital anomalies, particularly involving the body's midline. These findings may occur with or without an identifiable genetic condition.
Examples include:
congenital heart defects
tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF)
esophageal atresia (EA)
Laryngeal Cleft Genetics
A laryngeal cleft can occur in isolation or as part of a broader genetic condition. In some cases, a cleft is one feature of an underlying genetic syndrome. In other cases, no known genetic cause is identified. Research is ongoing to better understand the underlying biology.
The following genetic conditions have been reported in individuals with laryngeal clefts. In these cases, the cleft may be part of the broader genetic diagnosis:
22q11.2 deletion syndrome
CHARGE syndrome
VACTERL association
Opitz G/BBB syndrome
Pallister-Hall syndrome
Reviewed in 2024 by:
Reza Rahbar, MD, DMD — Pediatric Otolaryngology, Boston Children's Hospital
Michael Rutter, MD — Pediatric Otolaryngology, Cincinnati Children’s Medical Center