Pediatric laryngeal papillomas

What are pediatric laryngeal papillomas?

Laryngeal papillomas (also known as recurrent respiratory papillomatosis) form in varying sizes and develop within the respiratory tract, most often affecting the larynx (voice box). When the vocal cords (also called vocal folds) become covered with these fast-producing nodules, they do not vibrate effectively to produce sound. As a result, your child’s voice is hoarse and weak. 

As papillomas spread in the respiratory tract, they can grow on the trachea (windpipe), bronchi and occasionally, the lungs. When papillomas obstruct the airway, they can cause breathing difficulties.

Laryngeal papillomas are benign (noncancerous) growths in the vast majority of cases. In rare cases — less than 1 percent — they can become cancerous. Papillomas can be stubborn when removed and often grow back.

Laryngeal papillomas are usually diagnosed by the age of 12 and can go into remission (disappear) when a child hits puberty (between the ages of 10 and 14 for girls and between the ages of 12 and 16 for boys).

What are the signs and symptoms of pediatric laryngeal papillomas?

Infants (birth to 1 year)

• Choking

• Failure to grow and gain weight

• Weak cry

Children age 1 year and older

• Choking

• Chronic cough

• Difficult and noisy breathing  

• Difficulty swallowing 

• Feeling like a foreign body is stuck in the throat 

• Loss of voice 

• Shortness of breath 

• Trouble speaking 

• Voice that's weak, strained, breathy or low pitched

The most common symptom in children is hoarseness.

What are the causes of pediatric laryngeal papillomas?

Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes laryngeal papillomas. In most cases, it’s transmitted to children as they pass through the birth canal of their mother with HPV. Some cases develop before birth. Learn more about the HPV vaccine.

Risk factors

Children are most at risk for laryngeal papillomas if they are: 

• The firstborn child

• Delivered vaginally 

• Born when their mother is under age 20