Croup is inflammation or infection of the voice box and windpipe. The inflammation causes tissue in the respiratory tract to swell, so a child must work harder for air to reach the lungs. Croup occurs in young children. As children grow older, the air passages widen, so swelling enough to block breathing is less likely in older children.
Causes of croup include:
Tests for specific viruses are rarely performed, so the actual cause of croup is usually not known.
Conditions that resemble croup can also be caused by:
A risk factor is something that increases your chance of getting a disease or condition.
Risk factors include:
Symptoms are usually preceded by an upper respiratory infection. Croup symptoms come on suddenly, often at night.
Symptoms may include:
More serious symptoms of croup that may require immediate medical attention include:
The doctor will ask about your child's symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical exam.
Tests, if indicated, may include:
Treatment aims to keep the airway open while the infection resolves on its own in 5-7 days. Severe symptoms usually resolve in 3-4 days.
Therapies include:
The doctor may prescribe steroids to reduce swelling in the airways as this treatment has been shown to benefit croup and may keep a child from becoming sick enough to need hospitalization. Breathing treatments with a medicine called racemic epinephrine may provide temporary help until steroid medications (usually dexamethasone) start to work. Since most croup is caused by a viral infection, antibiotics are not indicated unless there is some other accompanying problem like an ear infection or pneumonia .
If your child is diagnosed with croup, follow your doctor's instructions .
Croup usually occurs in response to an upper respiratory infection. Minimizing exposure to viruses that cause colds and flu may help prevent croup. Yearly influenza immunization can prevent those cases of croup due to Influenza A. Influenza immunization is strongly recommended for all children between the ages of 6 months to 5 years.
CANADIAN RESOURCES:
About Kids Health
http://www.aboutkidshealth.ca
Health Canada
http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/index-eng.php
References:
American Academy of Pediatrics website. Available at: http://www.aap.org .
Behrman RE, Kliegman R, Jenson HB. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics .16th ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders Company; 2000.
Cecil RL, Goldman L, Bennett JC. Cecil Textbook of Medicine . 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders Company; 2000.
Conn HF, Rakel RE. Conn's Current Therapy 2001 . 53rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: WB Saunders Company; 2001.
Griffith HW, MD Consult LLC. Griffith's 5-Minute Clinical Consult . Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott, Williams, and Wilkins; 2001.
Kleigman RM, Jensen HB, Behrman RE, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders Elsevier; 2007.
Mandell GL, Douglas RG, Bennett JE, Dolin R. Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases . 5th ed. New York, NY: Churchill Livingstone, Inc; 2000.
Rosen P, Barkin RM, Braen GR, et al. Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice . 4th ed. St. Louis, MO: Mosby Year Book, Inc; 1998.
Last reviewed November 2008 by Kari Kassir, MD
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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