Which of the following is NOT typically a feature of laryngomalacia?

Laryngomalacia is a condition characterized by the soft, floppy tissue of the larynx that collapses inward during inhalation, leading to airway obstruction. The typical presentation includes stridor, which is a high-pitched sound caused by turbulent airflow in the narrowed airways, particularly during inspiration.

One of the hallmark features of laryngomalacia is that symptoms tend to improve when the infant is in an upright position and may worsen when the infant is lying supine. This positional change can reduce airway obstruction, as gravity helps keep the airway more open.

Interestingly, laryngomalacia may lead to increased stridor or respiratory distress during periods of crying or agitation, but the nature of the airflow disturbance does not generally result in wheezing, which is more commonly associated with lower airway issues, such as asthma or bronchospasm. Additionally, the condition is expected to resolve as the child grows, often by 12 months of age, as the laryngeal structures mature and the tissue becomes less floppy.

Therefore, the presence of wheezing is not a typical feature of laryngomalacia, making it the correct response to identify as the option that is not characteristic of this condition.