We evaluated 15 infants with
laryngomalacia and 12 healthy infants to determine their risk of
hypoxia and
hypercapnia as complications of partial upper
airway obstruction. Transcutaneous
carbon dioxide pressure and
oxygen pressure were recorded continuously overnight with episodes of
hypercapnia and/or
hypoxia scored for frequency, duration, and relationship to activity. Episodes occurred in 12 infants with
laryngomalacia and eight control infants. Infants with
laryngomalacia had significantly more episodes. The greatest decrease in transcutaneous
oxygen pressure was 29 mm Hg and increase in transcutaneous
carbon dioxide pressure was 31 mm Hg, both occurring in infants with
laryngomalacia. Three infants had prolonged episodes of
hypoxia and
hypercapnia. History or physical examination did not distinguish those infants with
laryngomalacia who had
hypercapnia and/or
hypoxia from those without episodes. Two- to 15-month follow-ups in 13 infants with
laryngomalacia revealed that symptoms were unchanged or improved. Twelve of these 13 infants had normal growth without developmental delay or other complications. These results demonstrate that episodes of
hypoxia and
hypercapnia occur more frequently in infants with
laryngomalacia than in control infants; however, their apparent risk for complications is low.