Primary tracheomalacia and gastroesophageal reflux in infants with cough

Cough is an uncommon sign in infants. Cough may result from the presence of abnormal secretions in the airway or abnormalities of the central airways that affect the infant's ability to clear normal secretions. Tracheomalacia (TM) and gastroesophageal reflux (GER) can both cause cough in infants. Four infants whose cough began in the newborn period were diagnosed with TM and GER. Symptoms of central airway obstruction (homophonous wheeze or tracheal cough) suggested the diagnoses. In three patients, the diagnosis was made by barium esophagraphy and airway fluoroscopy. The infants responded to conservative and medical therapy for GER and to nebulized bronchodilators. Tracheomalacia and GER cause cough in infants that begins in the newborn period. The diagnosis can often be made with studies available to the primary care provider, and the conditions are often responsive to medical management.