Overview
Croup is characterized
as an acute, rapidly progressing respiratory disease resulting from the
inflammation of the upper airway, larynx, and trachea, as stated in the Introduction section.
Croup is one of the
most common causes of acute respiratory distress in young children. A detailed
discussion about the prevalence of croup is in the Epidemiology section.
Croup is most commonly
caused by parainfluenza virus 1-3. Other respiratory viruses that trigger the
development of croup are enumerated in the Etiology
section.
The developmental process of croup in affected
patients is in the Pathophysiology section.
The Risk
Factors section lists the
conditions associated with the development of croup.
Croup_Disease SummaryHistory and Physical Examination
The Clinical
Presentation section
describes the clinical features suggestive of croup in affected children.
The History and
Physical Examination sections discuss the important information to
obtain in the evaluation of children suspected of having croup.
Diagnosis
Discussions on pulse
oximetry and other diagnostic tests are in the Laboratory
Tests and Ancillaries section.
Other conditions that should be ruled out in
the diagnosis of croup are listed in the Differential
Diagnosis section.
Management
Assessment for the
severity of airway obstruction in patients with croup is discussed in the Evaluation section.
The Pharmacological Therapy section explains the different therapeutic options in
children diagnosed with croup.
The Nonpharmacological section includes things
to educate the patient, parents, or guardians about the management of croup, as
well as discussions on heliox inhalation and oxygen therapy.
Evaluation of clinical
response after proper management in children with croup is explained in the Monitoring section.
The Complications section explains recurrent
or atypical croup and indications for specialist referral.