Relationship of laryngeal dimensions to body size and gestational age in premature neonates and small infants

Laryngoscope. 1984 Oct;94(10):1284-92. doi: 10.1288/00005537-198410000-00005.

Abstract

The larynges of 27 infants weighing between 250 gm and 9160 gm were studied. Twenty-two neonates were from 24 to 40 weeks' gestational age. Five subjects died more than 6 weeks post partum but were included because of their small size. Relationships of larynx size to the standard clinical measurements of crown-heel length, crown-rump length, head circumference, and gestational age were developed. Cartilage size relationships to these measurements were found to be linear. Glottic length related linearly to crown-rump length but related in a curvilinear way to crown-heel length, head circumference, and gestational age. A guide to the choice of endotracheal tube sizes for small infants is suggested.

MeSH terms

  • Birth Weight*
  • Body Height*
  • Body Weight
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Gestational Age*
  • Glottis / anatomy & histology
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Infant, Premature*
  • Infant, Small for Gestational Age*
  • Laryngeal Cartilages / anatomy & histology
  • Larynx / anatomy & histology*