Article: Croup

Croup may also refer to the rump of a quadruped (see croupier).

Croup (also called laryngotracheobronchitis) is a disease which afflicts infants and young children, typically aged between 3 months and 5 years.

Symptoms

It is characterized by a harsh 'barking' cough, stridor and fever.

The 'barking' cough of croup is diagnostic.

In diagnosing croup, it is important for the physician to consider and exclude other causes of shortness of breath.

Causes

It is most often caused by parainfluenza virus, but other viral and bacterial infections can also cause it. It is the body's reaction to the infection that causes the respiratory distress, not the infection itself. It usually occurs in young children as their airways are smaller and differently shaped than adults, making them more susceptible. There is some element of genetic predisposition as children in some families are more susceptible than others.

Treatment

Treatment of croup depends on the severity encountered.

• One of the simplest ways to treat or help with croup is to take hot showers that steam (the steam moisturizes the airway) or just use a humidifier, which has a similar effect. These simple methods usually help a lot. However, they may not be enough to completely get rid of the croup in moderate to severe cases.

• Mild croup with no stridor and just the cough may just be watched or a small dose of inhaled or oral steroids may be given.

• Moderate to severe croup may require airway intervention and oxygen supplementation in addition to steroids, depending on the amount of respiratory distress.

• Adrenaline may also be given in cases of severe croup, either via nebulizer or injected intramuscularly or intravenously.