Congenital laryngomalacia

This code represents a congenital anomaly of the larynx where the laryngeal cartilage is softer than normal, leading to collapse of the supraglottic structures during inspiration. This collapse obstructs the airway, causing inspiratory stridor, particularly noticeable in infants.

Use this code for documented cases of congenital laryngomalacia, typically identified in infancy due to characteristic noisy breathing. Documentation should clearly state the diagnosis of laryngomalacia, often supported by direct laryngoscopy findings.

• Do not confuse with acquired forms of laryngomalacia, which are rare and coded differently.
• Sequence this code as the primary diagnosis when laryngomalacia is the reason for the encounter (e.g., for diagnostic workup or surgical correction).
• Ensure documentation specifies "congenital" to support the use of this specific code.