Background and aims:

a national survey was designed to analyze the knowledge and approach of pediatricians to laryngomalacia, due to the perception that some severe cases were underestimated.

Materials and methods:

this is a national, transversal, descriptive and analytical study, conducted through an on-line survey. We designed a 16 item questionnaire, and targeted both primary care and specialty pediatricians. The variables included professional filiation, general knowledge, diagnosis and management of laryngomalacia.

Results:

233 surveys were answered. The most common approach in a case of suspected laryngomalacia was expectant (54.1%), no differences were found in terms of pediatricians experience, neither by years of time worked, nor by the number of laryngomalacia cases previously assisted. Level of general knowledge shown by participants was higher than 89%, while it decreased to 57% when analyzing items covering severe laryngomalacia. 67% were aware of the additional tests to perform in severe cases, and 73.3% were alert for possible comorbidities. 85.6% agreed that non-invasive ventilation is useful in patients with severe laryngomalacia.

Conclusions:

the survey shows that laryngomalacia is a well-known condition, although there is not a clear consensus in the initial approach, and in tools used by pediatricians to base its management. Though knowledge in general concepts and diagnostics is suitable, it decreases in more specific concepts related to cases of severe laryngomalacia. It would be desirable that clinical guidelines and protocols were developed, to standardize management of laryngomalacia.

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