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Warning-sign checks

Choanal atresia: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    These symptoms need medical assessment but are not always emergencies.

    Seek emergency help for blue or gray coloring, severe breathing effort, long pauses in breathing, inability to stay awake, collapse, or heavy bleeding.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Contact the care team promptly if the child develops increasing nasal blockage, worsening noisy breathing, difficulty feeding, poor weight gain, persistent foul-smelling discharge, fever after a procedure, or bleeding that does not quickly stop.

    A baby who cannot breathe well enough to feed also needs urgent assessment.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Regular follow-up with the ear, nose, and throat team is important after surgery.

    The clinician checks that the opening remains clear, removes crusting when necessary, and monitors breathing, feeding, sleep, and growth.

    Long-term follow-up may involve audiology, cardiology, genetics, speech and feeding specialists, or developmental services when related conditions are present.

    Children with isolated, successfully treated choanal atresia may need less intensive follow-up once the airway has healed and remained open.

The article also says

Families may be given a specific plan for nasal saline, suctioning, feeding, and activity.

The plan can change as healing progresses.

Keep scheduled appointments even if breathing appears normal, because early narrowing may be easier to manage before symptoms become severe.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Choanal atresia. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.