Stridor is caused by upper airway narrowing or obstruction. It is often heard without a stethoscope. It occurs in 10-20% of extubated patients.
Stridor is a loud, high-pitched crowing breath sound heard during inspiration but may also occur throughout the respiratory cycle most notably as a patient worsens.
In children, stridor may become louder in the supine position.
Causes of stridor are pertussis, croup, epiglottis, aspirations.