Paeds: differentials

Question 1

Acute stridor (In a child), Differentials?

Answer 1

Laryngotracheobronchitis (croup)

Inhaled foreign body

Anaphylaxis

Epiglottitis

Rarer causes include the following:

– Bacterial tracheitis

– Severe tonsillitis with very large tonsils

– Inhalation of hot gases (e.g. house fire)

– Retropharyngeal abscess

Question 2

Stridor in an infant. What are your differentials?

Answer 2

Laryngomalacia

Laryngeal cyst, haemangioma or web

Laryngeal stenosis

Vocal cord paralysis

Vascular ring

Gastro-oesophageal reflux

Hypocalcaemia (laryngeal tetany)

Respiratory papillomatosis

Subglottic stenosis