The Center for Airway Disorders (CAD) at Boston Children’s Hospital is one of the largest and most experienced centers treating infants, children, and young adults with airway problems. Established in 2000 as a collaboration between specialists in otolaryngology, pulmonology, and gastroenterology, today the CAD draws from the expertise of 12 departments. As a result, we provide the most comprehensive treatment for children with complex airway, pulmonary, and digestive disorders.
Airway disorders interfere with a child’s ability to breathe, eat, or swallow normally. Any child with these symptoms requires timely care. Our team works quickly to perform a comprehensive evaluation for every new patient. We then work closely with the patient’s family and our colleagues to create a personalized care plan for that child.
Expertise in every aspect of airway disorders
We know from experience that airway disorders are often complex and can affect many systems throughout the body. The Center for Airway Disorders therefore offers the most comprehensive services, with the most disciplines of any center of this kind. Our size and scope enable us to tailor services to each patient’s needs so that every child we treat receives the comprehensive care they need.
Our team is made up of one of the largest pediatric otolaryngology (ear, nose, and throat) teams and the largest cardiovascular surgery team in the U.S. We are also one of the few airway centers in the world with a pediatric cardiothoracic surgeon on its leadership team.
Another important part of our team are the licensed speech-language pathologists in the Feeding and Swallowing Program. We also work closely with lactation specialists in the Lactation Support Program. These specialists are instrumental in treating many eating and drinking difficulties without surgery.
To get the most accurate diagnosis and related treatment plan, our patients benefit from the breadth and depth of Boston Children’s expertise. We work closely with our colleagues in gastroenterology, pulmonology, cardiology, neurology, genetics, endocrinology, and several other departments to provide care based on each patient’s needs. Our center coordinates these appointments and follow-up planning and treatment.
Comprehensive care for children with central airway disorders
Our patients benefit from the breadth and depth of the expertise at Boston Children’s. We work closely with specialists throughout the hospital to provide care based on each patient’s needs. We collaborate with experts in gastroenterology, pulmonology, cardiology, speech-language pathology, and otolaryngology as well as allergy, anesthesiology, endocrinology, general surgery, genetics, neurology, neurosurgery, and radiology. Our center coordinates these appointments and follow-up planning and treatment.
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Click on the key (+) departments in the image to learn about some of our collaborators at Boston Children’s.
Find out about our core disciplines
Click on the key (+) departments in the image to learn about some of our collaborators at Boston Children’s.
Cardiology
Specialists in the diagnosis and treatment of heart conditions and cardiovascular disorders such as congenital heart defects and more.
Cardiothoracic Surgery
Surgeons who specialize in conditions of the heart, lungs, and other organs in the chest.
Gastroenterology
Specialists in treating gastrointestinal, liver, and motility disorders and monitoring absorption of nutrients and removal of waste.
Otolaryngology
Outpatient and surgical care for a wide variety of conditions of the head and neck, ranging from airway obstruction and thyroglossal duct cysts to chronic ear and sinus infections.
Pulmonology
Specialists in treating a range of breathing and lung conditions, from asthma to interstitial lung disease.
Speech-Language Pathology
Care and services for children who experience difficulties feeding and swallowing
Other specialists:
Other specialists, that may care for a patient in this program include Allergy, Anesthesiology, Endocrinology, General Surgery, Genetics, Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Radiology.
Why choose the Center for Airway Disorders?
We provide expert care for every type of airway disorder — from common conditions to the most rare and complex disorders, such as:
- laryngeal clefts
- aspiration
- complete tracheal rings
- laryngomalacia
- tracheomalacia
- tracheal stenosis
- subglottic stenosis
In addition to our extensive team, our patients benefit from the vast resources of Boston Children’s Hospital — ranked one of the top pedziatric hospitals in the country by U.S. News & World Report.
We work closely with departments throughout the hospital to provide the most effective treatment possible. This includes weekly meetings with specialists from across Boston Children's to discuss individual patients and their diagnoses and establish a better understanding of each child’s needs and treatment options.
Commitment to non-invasive care
Many airway disorders can be managed without surgery. Depending on your child’s specific condition, we may recommend starting with noninvasive approaches, such as feeding therapy.
Living with laryngeal cleft
Learn about Sami's journey with a laryngeal cleft and his tracheostomy tube with the Center for Airway Disorders.
If your child does need surgery, our experienced physicians have performed thousands of minimally invasive (endoscopic) procedures that result in less pain and scarring, and faster recovery. Our deep experience in procedures involving lasers, balloon dilation, and other minimally invasive procedures turns into greater safety and better outcomes for children with complex airway conditions.
Where the world comes for answers
Physicians from around the world refer their patients to the Center for Airway Disorders for specialty care. No matter where you come from or what treatment we recommend, our program coordinator will communicate with your child’s doctors and specialists back home to ensure seamless care at every step of your journey.
