In neonates, what symptoms are associated with choanal atresia?

In neonates with choanal atresia, difficulty in feeding and breathing is a hallmark symptom due to the disruption of normal airflow. This condition is characterized by a blockage of the nasal passage, which can lead to significant challenges during feeding, especially when the infant needs to breathe through their nose while sucking. When they attempt to feed, the obstruction can cause respiratory distress, resulting in the infant exhibiting signs of difficulty in coordinating breathing and swallowing.

While cyanosis may occur when the infant is at rest since this condition can worsen in those situations, the primary concern in choanal atresia is the impaired ability to feed and breathe effectively. The other options, such as rapid heart rate or increased body temperature, can occur in various neonatal conditions, but they are not specifically associated with choanal atresia itself. Thus, the most distinctive symptom in this context is the difficulty in feeding and breathing.