Croup

• laryngotracheobronchitis

• characteristic cough associated with partial obstruction of larynx

• commonest cause is parainfluenza virus

• group A streptococcus, pneumococcus, staphylococcus

• recurrent croup may be allergic in origin

Other clinical features

• respiratory stridor

• respiratory distress

  • nasal flaring

  • indrawing of soft tissues of neck

• impending respiratory obstruction

  • restlessness

  • decreasing stridor

Differential

• Measles croup

• Diptheric croup

• Retropharyngeal abscess

• Laryngeal foreign body

• Intraluminal obstruction

• Angioedema

• Bacterial tracheitis

• Epiglottitis

Management

• admit

• if impending respiratory obstruction move to intensive care ( don't attempt to examine pharynx)

• nebulised budesonide / oral steroids

Prognosis

• excellent if airway managed properly

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