Croup Flashcards
Who does croup affect?
Upper respiratory tract infection affecting children ages 6 months to 6 years
Peak age at 2 years
What is croup?
URTI -** causing oedema in larynx**
What organisms cause croup?
Parainfluenza virus
Most common in autumn
What is the ‘science’ name for croup
laryngeotracheobronchitis
Signs and symptoms of croup?
Harsh stridor = vibrating sound on inspiration
barking cough
hoarse voice
fever
What is seen on CXR for croup?
Subglottic narrowing = steeple sign
What to NOT do on a patient presenting with croup?
Throat examination due to risk of airway obstruction
Management plan structure?
For all severities: oral dexamethasone single dose 0.15ml/kg
Mild: no admission but safety net for A&E if stridor, cyanosis, intercostal recession
Admission for moderate or severe croup
How is moderate croup managed on admission?
sx: frequent barking cough ++ stridor at rest!
recessions at rest
no distress
Oxygen
How to manage severe croup on admission?
prominent ins stridor at rest + marked recessions
Ditressed, lethargy
tachycardia or hyopoxia
Oxygen and nebulised adrenaline
Prognosis?
resolves in 48 hrs and we have given steroids to help with breathing. Advise good fluid intake and paracetamol/ibruprofen. Check on child during night as cough gets worse at night.
What if it is :
croup + high fever + thick airway secretions?
Bacteria tracheitis
-> IV abx, intubation and ventiliation
