Pediatric airway manifestations of gastroesophageal reflux

Gastroesophageal reflux (GER) in children may be classified as physiologic or pathologic, depending on its degree and consequences. There are many head and neck complications of GER in pediatric patients, but most numerous are the airway manifestations, including stridor, recurrent croup, exacerbation of subglottic stenosis, laryngeal irritation with or without laryngospasm, chronic cough, and obstructive apnea. Diagnosis may be difficult unless there is a high index of suspicion for GER and awareness of the concept of “silent” GER. We present the common pediatric airway manifestations of GER, illustrated by case reports, and provide a paradigm to assist in the diagnosis and management of children with airway compromise associated with GER.