pediatrics
Croup
Key Points
Croup is an acute, viral, respiratory tract infection affecting infants age 6 to 36 months and is typically caused by parainfluenza viruses (mainly type 1). A barking, often spasmodic cough and sometimes inspiratory stridor (caused by subglottic edema) are the most prominent symptoms; symptoms are often worse at night. Diagnosis is usually clinical, but an anteroposterior x-ray of the neck and chest showing classic subepiglottic narrowing (steeple sign) supports the diagnosis. Give cool, humidified air or oxygen, and sometimes corticosteroids and nebulized racemicepinephrine. 