Differential Diagnosis for 2 Month Old Snoring
Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Normal Infant Breathing: Snoring in a 2-month-old infant can often be attributed to normal infant breathing patterns. Infants' airways are smaller and more prone to collapse, which can cause snoring sounds, especially during sleep.
Other Likely Diagnoses
- Allergic Rhinitis or Upper Respiratory Infection: These conditions can cause nasal congestion, leading to mouth breathing and snoring in infants.
- Tongue-Tie or Ankyloglossia: This condition, where the tongue is tethered to the floor of the mouth, can affect breathing and cause snoring.
- Adenoid Hypertrophy: Although less common in infants as young as 2 months, enlarged adenoids can obstruct the airway and lead to snoring.
Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Congenital Heart Disease: Certain congenital heart defects can lead to respiratory symptoms, including snoring, due to increased respiratory effort or pulmonary congestion.
- Pierre Robin Sequence: This condition involves a small lower jaw, which can cause the tongue to fall back and obstruct the airway, leading to snoring and potential respiratory distress.
- Choanal Atresia: A congenital condition where the back of the nasal passage is blocked, which can cause significant respiratory distress, especially in newborns who are obligate nasal breathers.
- Laryngomalacia: A condition where the tissues of the larynx are soft and floppy, causing partial airway obstruction, which can lead to snoring, stridor, and breathing difficulties.
Rare Diagnoses
- Sleep Apnea: Although more common in older children and adults, sleep apnea can occur in infants, especially those with underlying conditions such as prematurity or neurological disorders.
- Nasal Septal Deviation: A rare condition in infants where the nasal septum is significantly deviated, potentially causing breathing difficulties and snoring.
- Subglottic Stenosis: A narrowing of the airway below the vocal cords, which can cause respiratory symptoms, including snoring and stridor.