Croup Flashcards
what is croup?
form of URTIs seen in infants and toddlers
what is the main characteristic of croup?
stridor (barking cough)
caused by combination of laryngeal oedema and secretions
what is the main viral cause of croup?
parainfluenza viruses
what is the peak incidence of croup?
6 months - 3 years
what time of year do you typically see more croup?
autumn
what are the features of croup?
- stridor
- barking cough (worse at night)
- fever
- coryzal symptoms
what are the features of mild croup?
- occasional barking cough
- no audible stridor at rest
- no recession
- happy child
what are the features of moderate croup?
- frequent barking cough
- audible stridor at rest
- suprasternal and sternal wall retraction at rest
- placated child
what are the features of severe croup?
- frequent barking cough
- prominent audible stridor at rest
- marked sternal wall retractions
- significant distress child
what is a sign of severe obstructive symptoms in croup?
- tachycardia
- restlessness (sign of hypoxaemia)
when should a child be admitted with croup?
- moderate or severe
- <6 months old
- known upper airway abnormalities
- uncertainty about diagnosis
how is croup diagnosed?
mostly clinical
what is seen on x-ray in croup?
PA view = subglottic narrowing (‘steeple sign’)
what is the management of croup?
single dose of oral dexamethasone (0.15mg/kg)
given to ALL children regardless of severity
what is the emergency treatment of croup?
- high flow oxygen
- nebulised adrenaline
