Learning your baby has a complex airway problem can be challenging. The Neonatal Airway Program at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP) was created to bring together experts from across neonatology, pulmonology and ear, nose and throat (also called ENT) to improve your infant's ability to breathe — in the short and long term.

We are the most extensive program of our kind and the only full-service regional evaluation center for babies with congenital and acquired airway malformations or disorders. We quickly and safely transport babies from hospitals all over the region, who trust us to care for babies facing these serious conditions. We treat more than 100 babies each year.

If your child is diagnosed with a life-threatening airway disorder before birth, our hospital’s Garbose Family Special Delivery Unit is equipped to manage these complex deliveries, with expert pediatric airway otolaryngologists in attendance to provide immediate care for your newborn.

The best of the best

The Neonatal Airway Program is a collaboration between the Center for Pediatric Airway Disorders and the Division of Neonatology, bringing together key experts with the unique skills needed to care for these fragile infants.

Our coordinated, multidisciplinary approach to specialized evaluation and management of children with these life-threatening conditions allows team members to communicate and work together easily so we can provide the most comprehensive, customized care for your child.

What to expect

Once we’ve thoroughly evaluated your child, our team works with your family and your local referring physician to create an individualized treatment plan for your child.

Using specialized, low-dose CT angiogram with 3-D reconstruction and cardiac MRI, we can evaluate the entire airway and adjacent vascular structures. These technologies allow us to diagnose conditions that are otherwise difficult to find and assess with conventional imaging. Conditions can include vascular rings, head and neck tumors, and other airway anomalies.

If your infant needs surgery, they will benefit from some of the most experienced airway surgeons in the world who perform the latest techniques and airway reconstruction procedures.

As part of our multidisciplinary practice, babies are evaluated for swallowing function by specialized speech-language pathologists who focus on swallowing and voice disorders. The FEES (fiber optic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing) test looks at a child’s swallow under direct visualization.

In addition to focusing on providing expert medical care for each patient, we also offer emotional support for the entire family.

Long-term support from CHOP

Babies with complex airway disorders often need ongoing care as they grow. CHOP has several programs to support children with mechanical ventilation needs and their families.

Care for children with airway disorders may be handled by our Center for Pediatric Airway Disorders, which can help your family with issues related to home technology, ventilation and tracheostomy care.

The Technology Dependence Center/Home Ventilation Program cares for children who use assistive therapies such as oxygen. By providing ongoing assessment, treatment and coordination of home equipment, our team can help your child grow better and reduce their need for hospital care.