Some Kids Are Being Misdiagnosed With Asthma -- MEDICA - World Forum for Medicine

Vocal cord dysfunction (VCD) is the sudden, abnormal narrowing of the vocal cords during inhalation causing obstruction of the airflow, and is characterized by a noise that can mimic the sound of wheezing. A VCD attack can easily be mistaken for an asthma attack though it does not respond to asthma medications.

Treatment of VCD relies on correct identification of the disorder using breathing and relaxation techniques to help the vocal cords relax. During an acute VCD attack, spirometry, a device that measures airflows, can show patterns that are highly suggestive of VCD.

Doctors at Columbus Children’s Hospital performed a clinical research study using spirometry in Children’s Emergency Department to try to identify adolescents who had findings suggestive of VCD compared to an acute asthma attack. The year-long study included patients 12-21-years-old who suffered from acute episodes of respiratory distress.

