Thirty-eight patients with acute stridor were admitted to the Paediatric Unit of the Alor Setar General Hospital over a three-year period (1984 - 1986). The causes are discussed and retropharyngeal abscess is highlighted as it is often initially overlooked. The clinical presentation and the problems in the diagnosis of the latter are discussedwith reference to the three cases seen.
Key words: Acute stridor in childhood, retropharyngeal abscess