AIRWAY MANAGEMENT IN CHILDREN WITH CRANIOFACIAL ANOMALIES

Craniofacial anomalies (CFA) predispose children to airway obstruction , A retrospective study was conducted to describe airway intervention required to manage patients with craniofacial syndromes and diseases i nvolving the midface and mandible (i.e., Pierre Robin, Apert, Treacher Collins, Saethre-Chotzen, CHARGE, Nager, Stickler, Goldenhar, and Pfe iffer). The type of airway intervention, duration of intervention, and associated physical and medical conditions were evaluated, One hundre d nine patients had charts available for review and met inclusion crit eria, Sixty-five of these patients required airway management, most co mmonly in the first month of life, ranging from positioning to tracheo tomy. Nineteen patients required a tracheotomy, Associated medical con ditions and feeding difficulties were associated with airway obstructi on, This study evaluates factors that predispose children with CFA to have airway problems that need treatment, as well as the types of airw ay management that are necessary.