Croup Flashcards
What is croup?
Croup is a form of upper respiratory tract infection seen in infants and toddlers.
Who does croup typically effect?
It typically affects children aged 6 months to 2 years
Where does croup cause oedema?
Larynx
What is the most common cause of croup?
Parainfluenza virus
What other viruses cause croup?
- Influenza
- Adenovirus
- Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
What time of year is croup most common in?
Autumn
What is diphtheria?
A bacterial infection of the nose and throat caused by Corynebacterium diphtheriae. The most common symptom is a thick grey coating on the throat and tonsils.
What time frame does croup usually improve?
48 hours
What are the symptoms of croup?
- Cough
- Stridor
- Fever
- Coryzal symptoms
- Increased work of breathing e.g. retraction
What is the cough in croup described as?
- Barking, seal-like
- Worse at night
Why should the throat not be examined in a child that has croup?
due to the risk of precipitating airway obstruction
What is defined as mild croup?
- Occasional barking cough
- No audible stridor at rest
- No or mild suprasternal and/or intercostal recession
- The child is happy and is prepared to eat, drink, and play
What is defined as moderate croup?
- Frequent barking cough
- Easily audible stridor at rest
- Suprasternal and sternal wall retraction at rest
- No or little distress or agitation
- The child can be placated and is interested in its surroundings
What is defined as severe croup?
- Frequent barking cough
- Prominent inspiratory (and occasionally, expiratory) stridor at rest
- Marked sternal wall retractions
- Significant distress and agitation, or lethargy or restlessness (a sign of hypoxaemia)
- Tachycardia occurs with more severe obstructive symptoms and hypoxaemia
When should a child with croup be admitted?
- Moderate or severe croup
- < 3 months of age
- known upper airway abnormalities
- Uncertainty about diagnosis
