Stridor
Quick Answer
Stridor is a harsh, high-pitched musical sound made when breathing in — it occurs when the upper airway is narrowed and air has to squeeze through a smaller space.
AI generated video. Audio is a real clinical sound.
What Does Stridor (Noisy High-Pitched Breathing) Sound Like in a Child?
- A noisy, high-pitched or crowing sound when the child breathes in
- The sound may be soft enough to hear only when the child is calm, or loud enough to hear across the room
- The child's voice may sound hoarse or changed
- Breathing may seem faster or more effortful
- The child may seem anxious or prefer to sit upright
- Drooling alongside stridor is an important change to notice
Why Does Noisy Breathing When Breathing In Matter?
- Stridor is caused by narrowing of the upper airway — the voice box, trachea, or upper windpipe — and the turbulent air flow through the narrowed passage creates the characteristic sound
- Common causes in children include croup (viral laryngotracheitis), which is typically manageable, and less commonly more serious causes of airway narrowing
- Stridor that is present even when the child is calm and resting is more concerning than stridor that only appears when the child is upset or crying
This guide does not determine when it is safe to stay home.
When Should I Be Worried About My Baby's Noisy or High-Pitched Breathing?
These are visual patterns that may deserve closer attention. This is for education only — not a diagnostic guide.
- Stridor that is present even when the child is quiet and at rest
- Stridor accompanied by drooling or difficulty swallowing
- A child who appears very anxious, prefers to sit forward, and refuses to lie down
- Any bluish color around the lips alongside stridor
- Stridor that is worsening rapidly over minutes to hours
Stridor at rest — especially with drooling, a child who appears anxious and leans forward, or alongside retractions — is among the signs many parents bring to prompt medical attention.
Knowledge Check
A 2-year-old woke at 2am with a barking cough and a noisy, crowing sound when breathing in. She seems scared but calms down when held.
What is the key difference between stridor that is less concerning and stridor that is more concerning?
Medical References
PediaPulse content is designed and authored by board-certified pediatricians (FAAP). All pages are educational in nature and do not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your child's physician.