Croup Flashcards
1
Q
Natural history of croup/ laryngotacheobronchitis
A
- Mucosal inflammation
- Increased secretions
- Critical narrowing of the trachea
- Peak age of onset = 2 years
- lower threshold for hospital admission in <12m as narrow airway
- 6m- 6 years
- Commenest in autumn
2
Q
Causative agents of croup
A
- VIRAL = 95%
- parainfluenza
- human metapneumovirus
- RSV
- influenza
3
Q
Clinical features of croup
A
- barking cough
- harsh stridor
- hoarseness
- preceded by fever and coryza
- start and are worse at night
4
Q
Treatment of croup
A
- inhalation of warm moist air
- oral dexamethasone
- oral prednisolone
- steroid nebs (budesonide)
-
Severe upper airway obstruction:
- adrenaline nebs + O2 (2h half life)
- anaesthetist/ intensivist
- intubation