What is the COMMONEST cause of stridor in a newborn?
💡 Explanation
**Core Concept:** Stridor in newborns refers to a high-pitched, hoarse breathing sound caused by airway obstruction. Common causes include anatomical or physiological abnormalities.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right:** The correct answer is **Ventricular Septal Defect (VSD)**. In newborns, VSD is a common cause of stridor due to increased blood flow through the defect, causing turbulence in the airway and leading to obstruction. This results in the characteristic stridor.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect:**
A. **Anaplastic Large Cell Lymphoma (ALCL)** is a rare malignant lymphoma and is not a typical cause of stridor in newborns.
B. **Adenovirus infection** is a respiratory infection and can cause stridor, but it is less common than VSD in this context.
C. **Congenital Adenoid Hyperplasia (CAH)** is another rare cause of stridor in newborns, but it is less common than VSD.
D. **Adenoid hypertrophy** is a common cause of stridor in older children but is less common in newborns.
**Clinical Pearl:** Stridor in newborns should prompt evaluation for underlying anatomical or physiological abnormalities, as early diagnosis and intervention can prevent complications and improve outcomes.