Neonatal Airway Program
If your baby has a complex airway issue, you can rely on expert care from the Neonatal Airway Program at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) to identify the specific problem and work to create an individualized treatment plan.
The program is devoted solely to the evaluation, treatment and follow-up care of newborns and infants with complex airway issues. We treat babies with conditions associated with extreme prematurity, genetic syndromes, congenital birth defects, vascular tumors, and acquired upper airway, vocal cord or other tracheal-airway problems.
The neonatologists, otolaryngologists (ear, nose, and throat doctors) and pulmonologists from this program partner with a number of specialized programs across CHOP to provide the full breadth of care your child requires.
How we serve you
Babies stay in the hospital's Newborn/Infant Intensive Care Unit (N/IICU) while they receive seamless care and benefit from the newest and most innovative diagnostic and therapeutic services. They have access to around-the-clock care from experts in every pediatric subspecialty.
Conditions we treat
We treat a wide range of congenital and acquired airway malformations and disorders, including:
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Subglottic hemangiomas -
Choanal atresia - Chronic lung disease affecting breathing
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Complete tracheal rings - Congenital airway disorders
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Fetal giant neck masses -
Goldenhar syndrome -
Laryngeal webs/atresia -
Laryngomalacia -
Laryngotracheal cleft (LTC) -
Micrognathia -
Other craniofacial abnormalities with airway disease -
Pierre Robin syndrome -
Pyriform aperture stenosis -
Stickler syndrome -
Stridor -
Subglottic cysts -
Subglottic hemangiomas -
Subglottic stenosis - Swallowing disorders that affect the airway
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Tongue-based obstruction -
Tracheal stenosis -
Treacher Collins syndrome -
Vallecular cysts -
Vocal cord paralysis
Why choose the Neonatal Airway Program
We care for more babies with complex airway issues than any other hospital in the region. Our experience is unmatched and the reason other hospitals transfer their sickest babies to us for care.
Meet your team
Everyone on our team has extensive experience treating infants with airway disorders. The team includes physicians, surgeons, nurses and a variety of therapists focused on your baby's health and well-being.
Our locations
Access Neonatal Airway Program care at our Philadelphia hospital.
Our research
Research is a key component of CHOP's Neonatal Airway Program. We are engaged in studies to improve patient outcomes and enhance the field of otolaryngology including:
- Comparison of surgical outcomes of congenital and acquired subglottic stenosis
- Genetic analysis of airway issues
- Bedside sleep studies of patients with micrognathia and other airway problems before and after intervention
- Largest tracheostomy database of infants, and analysis of predictors in neonatal tracheostomy
- Biomaterials for laryngotracheal cartilage engineering
- evaluation of inflammatory cytokines in the microbiome of neonates with subglottic stenosis
Neonatal Airway Program resources
We know this is an emotional and stressful time for your family. We have pulled together resources to help you find answers to your questions and feel confident with the care you're providing your baby.
Patient stories
Your newborn’s Neonatal Airway Program evaluation
Our care begins with comprehensive evaluations of your baby's condition, both at the bedside and, if needed, in an operating room. Our high-tech testing allows us to refine the diagnosis and plan for care.
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