目前还缺乏喉软化(LM) 发病率和患病率的绝对数据。它是婴幼儿喘鸣最常见的原因[1]Loke D, Ghosh S, Panarese A, et al. Endoscopic division of the ary-epiglottic folds in severe laryngomalacia. Int J Pediatr Otorhinolaryngol. 2001;60:59-63.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11434955?tool=bestpractice.com并且是最常见的先天性喉异常,占全部病例的 60% 至 70%。[2]Holinger LD. Etiology of stridor in the neonate, infant and child. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 1980;89:397-400.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7436240?tool=bestpractice.com[3]Werner JA, Lippert BM, Dunne AA, et al. Epiglottopexy for the treatment of severe laryngomalacia. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2002;259:459-464.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12386747?tool=bestpractice.comLM 在男性中的发病率是女性的两倍,并在生命的最初几周出现,然后在 12 至 24 个月内缓解。有报道称 17% 至 47% 的重度 LM 患者有其他相关疾病或症候群。[7]Roger G, Denoyelle F, Triglia JM, et al. Severe laryngomalacia: surgical indications and results in 115 patients. Laryngoscope. 1995;105:1111-1117.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7564844?tool=bestpractice.com[8]Toynton SC, Saunders MW, Bailey CM. Aryepiglottoplasty for laryngomalacia: 100 consecutive cases. J Laryngol Otol. 2001;115:35-38.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11233619?tool=bestpractice.com