Parental knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding laryngomalacia in Saudi Arabia: a nationwide cross-sectional study

Background Laryngomalacia (LM) is the most common cause of infant stridor, significantly impacting the quality of life for both patients and caregivers. Early recognition by parents is crucial to reducing morbidity and anxiety. However, parental knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) regarding LM remain underexplored in Saudi Arabia. Methods A nationwide cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2024 to July 2025 among parents residing in Saudi Arabia with at least one child aged ≥6 months. A validated, self-administered questionnaire assessed sociodemographics, knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward LM. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square, one-way ANOVA, and Spearman's correlation. Results Of 1,537 participants, most were mothers (74.9%), aged 30–39 years (34.7%), and held a bachelor's degree (62.1%). Awareness was low, with 87.4% reporting they had never heard of LM. Knowledge gaps were evident, particularly in areas such as symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. Positive attitudes were noted, with 76.9% agreeing that visiting a doctor for stridor is essential. In practice, 80.7% would seek medical care for stridor, while most rejected self-medication. Significant associations were found between KAP variables and sociodemographic factors, especially occupation, age, and residency. Knowledge correlated moderately with attitude (rho = 0.406, p < 0.001) and weakly with practice (rho = 0.196, p < 0.001). Conclusion Parental awareness of LM in Saudi Arabia is limited despite positive healthcare-seeking attitudes. Tailored educational initiatives targeting identified knowledge gaps and misconceptions could enhance early diagnosis and management, ultimately improving outcomes for affected children.