Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) Practice Exam

What condition is suspected in infants exhibiting noisy breathing?

1. Asthma

2. Laryngomalacia

3. Tracheomalacia

4. Vocal cord paralysis

The correct answer is: Laryngomalacia

Infants who exhibit noisy breathing often have a condition known as laryngomalacia. This condition is characterized by the soft, poorly developed cartilage of the larynx which can collapse and obstruct the airway during breathing. The result is a distinctive sound known as stridor, which is particularly noticeable when the infant inhales. Laryngomalacia is the most common cause of stridor in infants and is usually diagnosed during the first few months of life. The noisy breathing is generally more pronounced when the baby is agitated, lying on their back, or during feeding. In most cases, laryngomalacia resolves on its own as the infant grows and their laryngeal cartilage strengthens, making it a benign condition that typically does not require aggressive intervention. Other conditions listed—like asthma, tracheomalacia, and vocal cord paralysis—can also cause respiratory symptoms, but they present differently and are less common in infants in comparison to laryngomalacia. Asthma primarily affects older children and adults and is characterized by wheezing rather than stridor. Tracheomalacia involves weakness in the trachea rather than the larynx, which can lead to different respiratory symptoms, and vocal cord paralysis manifests as hoarseness or a weak