Newborns with underdeveloped or absent vocal cords, where the ventricular bands are overactive or excessively developed and take over the function of vocalization, are also referred to as neonatal ventricular dysphonia.

bubble_chart Clinical Manifestations

In the first few days after birth, the infant is silent when crying. Later, the cry becomes hoarse and rough, which is a sign of vocalization by the ventricular bands. As the underdeveloped vocal cords gradually develop, diplophonia or double voice may occur, where the rough low tones produced by the ventricular bands are often mixed with high tones from the vocal cords. This double voice tends to change irregularly. Most infants exhibit congenital laryngeal stridor and are prone to respiratory distress.

bubble_chart Diagnosis

The infant-type anterior commissure laryngoscope was used to lift the epiglottis without anesthesia, revealing the approximation of the bilateral ventricular bands with no visible vocal cords. When the tips of the scope were used to separate the bilateral ventricular bands, the vocal cords were found to be underdeveloped, asymmetrical, or completely absent. Some vocal cords appeared normal but exhibited poor adduction and abduction.

bubble_chart Treatment Measures

Try to prevent the child from crying or shouting excessively. Encourage the child to speak softly. If pronunciation habits are corrected early in childhood, speech may improve later. However, if the child continues to use ventricular phonation, prolonged use can lead to tissue changes, resulting in permanent poor pronunciation.