Stridor

Stridor is a high-pitched sound that is usually heard best when your child breathes in (known as “inspiration”). It’s usually caused by an obstruction or narrowing in your child's upper airway.

• The exact sound of stridor depends on location of the obstruction.
• Sometimes, stridor is heard when your child breathes in and when she breathes out.
• Children’s upper airways are shorter and narrower than those of adults, and, therefore, more likely to lead to problems with obstruction.

At Children’s Hospital Boston, the Center for Aero-Digestive Disorders (CADD) provides care and state-of-the-art medical and surgical treatment to children with stridor and other problems involving the airway, pulmonary and upper digestive tract. The center is staffed by a multidisciplinary team of specialists from various fields who provide comprehensive assessment, treatment and follow-up care.