• Knowledgebase: Information on Specific Illnesses

    Here you will find discussions of specific illnesses and their management.

    32. My granddaughter just had the croup. What is it? - Top

    Croup or Laryngotracheobronchitis.is is an inflammation or swelling
    of the windpipe near the vocal cords. The vast majority of the time it is caused ity a viral infection, rarely is an allergic problem and less than 1% of the time is a bacterial infection. The smaller the child the worse it is, because a little swelling in a small windpipe will produce a narrower breathing passage and therefore, more difficulty in breathing. Adults with this same swelling will usually have no more than a hoarse voice (Laryngitis). The cough (a seal bark) and breathing problems (strider or crowing sound when they breath in) are always worse at night. We do not understand why this is the case, but we know this is true. Generally its onset is sudden between 1 AM and 4 AM and lasts for 3 days. We generally treat the croup with cool mist, cough medicine and sometimes steroids to reduce the swelling. Sometimes the swelling compromises breathing enough in small children to require hospitalization.



    - Updated: March 22, 2001

    [e-Mail me the Knowledgebase]-   [Search our Knowledgebase] -  [Question Not Answered?]    


    • James L Horwitz, MD

    David C. Thomas, MD

    Barbara Lindberg, PNP