[Obstruction of the nose in newborns]. / Neusobstructie bij de pasgeborene.

Five newborns, 4 girls and 1 boy, presented with breathing and feeding difficulties caused by obstruction of the nose. The causes were choanal atresia, apertura pyriformis stenosis, teratoma, glioma and haemangioma. Following surgical treatment the children were symptom-free. Rapid diagnosis and treatment of these conditions are essential. An alternative airway should be created if a newborn suffers from breathing problems. Diagnostic work-up includes flexible laryngo-endoscopy followed by MRI- or CT-scan. Treatment is usually surgical.