Clinical characteristics and prognosis of 41 neonates with congenital idiopathic vocal cord paralysis
10.3760/cma.j.issn.1673-4912.2025.09.007
- VernacularTitle:新生儿先天性特发性声带麻痹41例的临床特点及预后分析
- Author:
Xiumei WU
1
;
Chen CHEN
;
Yu ZHAO
;
Ying MA
;
Yan YAN
;
Yujuan ZHAO
Author Information
1. 西安市儿童医院新生儿科 710003
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Vocal cord paralysis;
Idiopathic;
Congenital;
Neonate
- From:
Chinese Pediatric Emergency Medicine
2025;32(9):674-678
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To investigate the clinical features and prognosis of neonatal patients with congenital idiopathic vocal cord paralysis (VCP).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the general condition,clinical manifestations,auxiliary examinations,complications,treatment,and follow-up of 41 cases of congenital idiopathic VCP at the Neonatal Center,Xi'an Children's Hospital,from January 2018 to June 2023.Patients were divided into unilateral vocal cord paralysis (UVCP) and bilateral vocal cord paralysis (BVCP) groups based on the side of the affected vocal cord.The Fisher exact test or Mann-Whitney U test was employed to compare the follow-up indicators between the two groups. Results:A total of 41 cases (26 males,15 females) were included.All were full-term infants with a mean birth weight of (3 240.0±553.9) g.The median age at first visit was 3.0 (1.0,12.5) days.All 41 cases exhibited varying degrees of hoarseness,with 33 (80.5%) experiencing inspiratory stridor,10 (24.4%) having feeding difficulties,and 9 (22.0%) presenting with dyspnea and cyanosis.Serum vitamin D levels were found to be deficient or insufficient in 19 of 24 (79.2%) cases.Eighteen (43.9%) cases were misdiagnosed,and 4 (9.8%) cases were missed.Seven (17.1%) cases were complicated by laryngomalacia.Among the 33 (80.5%) cases in the UVCP group,30 (73.2%) exhibited left VCP and 3 (7.3%) had right VCP.Eight (19.5%) cases were classified in the BVCP group.Nine patients required respiratory support,with 2 undergoing tracheotomy.Ten patients with feeding difficulties received tube feeding,and some underwent swallowing and sucking training.A total of 37 (90.2%) cases were followed up for a median of 2 (1,5) months; 29 (78.4%) had no symptoms,4 (10.8%) showed symptom improvement,2 (5.4%) had persistent symptoms,and 2 (5.4%) died due to treatment interruption.The rates of symptom disappearance and improvement in the UVCP group were significantly higher than those in the BVCP group,while the rate of symptom persistence and mortality were significantly lower in the UVCP group (83.3% vs.57.1%,13.3% vs.0,0 vs.28.6%,3.3% vs.14.3%, P<0.05).No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups regarding the age of symptom disappearance ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Neonatal congenital idiopathic VCP is more prevalent among full-term infants,with most cases presenting hoarseness,vitamin D deficiency,and some associated with laryngomalacia.The condition is often misdiagnosed or missed,but most cases demonstrate a favorable prognosis.
