Hostname: page-component-669899f699-2mbcq Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2025-05-03T22:41:20.077Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Seasonal and regional distribution of laryngomalacia in paediatric in-patients

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  25 March 2025

Dean G. Kennedy Open the ORCID record for Dean G. Kennedy [Opens in a new window] ,
Jonathan M. Carnino ,
Nicholas R. Wilson ,
Amos M. Mwaura ,
Lindsay R. Salvati ,
Prachi N. Patel  and
Jessica R. Levi
Dean G. Kennedy*
Affiliation:
Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
Jonathan M. Carnino
Affiliation:
Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
Nicholas R. Wilson
Affiliation:
Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
Amos M. Mwaura
Affiliation:
Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
Lindsay R. Salvati
Affiliation:
Boston University School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
Prachi N. Patel
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Boston Medical Center, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
Jessica R. Levi
Affiliation:
Department of Otolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery, Boston Medical Center, Boston University Chobanian and Avedisian School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA
*
Corresponding author: Dean Kennedy; Email: [email protected]
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Objectives

This study investigates the seasonal and regional distribution of paediatric laryngomalacia admissions in the United States, hypothesizing higher admission rates in winter and colder regions due to reduced sunlight exposure affecting vitamin D levels.

Methods

We analyzed data from the 2016 Kids’ Inpatient Database (KID), focusing on children under three years old. Laryngomalacia cases were identified using International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems 10th Revision (ICD-10) code Q31.5. Seasonal and regional differences in admission rates were assessed using Pearson’s chi-squared test, with a significance level of p less than 0.05.

Results

Of 4,512,196 estimated national admissions, 11,638 were due to laryngomalacia. Admissions increased by 10.0 per cent in winter and decreased by 10.9 per cent in summer (p < 0.005). Regionally, admissions were higher in the Midwest/Central (18.6 per cent) and Northeast (9.3 per cent) and lower in the South (7.4 per cent) and West (11.1 per cent) (p < 0.005).

Conclusion

Laryngomalacia admissions are significantly influenced by seasonal and regional factors, likely related to environmental conditions affecting vitamin D synthesis.

Keywords

Airwayepidemiologyoutcomespaediatric airwayspathologylaryngologystridorlaryngomalacia
Type
Main Article
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , First View , pp. 1 - 4
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of J.L.O. (1984) LIMITED.

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Article purchase

Temporarily unavailable

Footnotes

Dean Kennedy takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

References

Bedwell, J, Zalzal, G. Laryngomalacia. Semin Pediatr Surg 2016;25:119–22Google Scholar
Hassan, MM, Emam, AM, Mahmoud, AM, Awad, AH, Rezek, I, Abou-Taleb, A, et al. Congenital laryngomalacia: is it an inflammatory disease? The role of vitamin D. Laryngoscope 2020;130:448–53Google Scholar
Dobbie, AM, White, DR. Laryngomalacia. Pediatr Clin North Am 2013;60:893–902Google Scholar
Klinginsmith, M, Winters, R, Goldman, J. Laryngomalacia. Treasure Island, FL: StatPearls Publishing, 2025Google Scholar
Bozkurt, HB, Çelik, M. Investigation of the serum vitamin D level in infants followed up with the diagnosis ofă laryngomalacia: a case-control study. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 2021;278:733–9Google Scholar
Knuschke, P. Sun exposure and vitamin D. Curr Probl Dermatol 2021;55:296–315Google Scholar
HCUP. Introduction to the HCUP Kids’ Inpatient Database (KID) 2016. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality 2018Google Scholar
World Health Organization. International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, 10th Revision. World Health Organization, 2016Google Scholar
Bârsan, M, Chelaru, V-F, Râjnoveanu, A-G, Popa, ȘL, Socaciu, A-I, Bădulescu, A-V. Difference in levels of vitamin D between indoor and outdoor athletes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Mol Sci 2023;24:7584Google Scholar
Wagner, CL, Taylor, SN, Johnson, DD, Hollis, BW. The role of vitamin D in pregnancy and lactation: emerging concepts. Womens Health (Lond) 2012;8:323–40Google Scholar