Croup is a common respiratory illness in children that causes a change in breathing with a hoarse voice and a brassy, barking cough. Doctors sometimes call croup laryngotracheitis because it usually involves inflammation of the larynx (voice box) and trachea (windpipe).
Croup often is divided into two broad categories: infectious croup and spasmodic croup.
Infectious Croup
Infectious croup is caused by an infection with a virus, bacterium or other germ. In the United States, most cases of croup are caused by a virus, usually in the fall and winter when people spend more time indoors. Under these conditions, the virus spreads easily through coughing and sneezing. It also can travel on dirty hands and on things that have had contact with fluids from a sick person's nose or mouth. These include used tissues, toys, drinking glasses and eating utensils.
Once the virus enters the body, it usually begins to attack the upper parts of the breathing system. For this reason, a child with croup may first complain of cold symptoms, such as a runny nose or nasal congestion. The child also may have a low-grade fever or a mild sore throat. Later, as the virus spreads farther down the throat, the linings of the voice box and windpipe become red, swollen, narrowed and irritated. This triggers hoarseness, a barking cough, and loud, raspy breathing (stridor).
Spasmodic Croup
Spasmodic croup is very similar to infectious croup, and can be triggered by infection, but it isn't caused by infection. It may be caused by an allergic reaction, or by irritation from stomach acid that has come back up into the throat, or even psychological factors. It tends to come on suddenly, without fever. Sometimes it can be hard to tell spasmodic croup from infectious croup.
In the United States, infectious and spasmodic croup account for about 15% of all respiratory illnesses seen by pediatricians. Infectious croup is most common in children younger than age 6, and boys are affected slightly more often than girls. Spasmodic croup usually affects children who are between 3 months and 3 years old. Before the age of 3 months, a child's risk of either type of croup is fairly low.
The classic symptom of croup is a harsh, brassy cough that sounds like a seal's bark. This cough is often worse at night. And it usually occurs with hoarseness and loud, raspy breathing.
Other symptoms vary, depending on whether the illness is infectious croup or spasmodic croup.
Infectious Croup
Children with infectious croup often have a low-grade fever and mild cold symptoms before a cough begins. In many cases, the sick child also has a history of being exposed to a family member, friend or classmate with a cough, runny nose or other signs of a respiratory infection.
Most children with infectious croup are mildly ill and do not develop significant breathing problems.
Among the few who do develop more severe forms of the illness, symptoms can include:
Breathing faster than normal
Having difficulty breathing
Flaring nostrils
An abnormal sucking in of the chest and abdominal muscles (retractions) as the child struggles to take a breath
Unusual restlessness or agitation
A bluish color of the skin, especially at the lips and fingernails
Spasmodic Croup
A child with spasmodic croup often looks fairly healthy before coughing starts. Episodes of cough and loud, raspy breathing generally start without warning. They typically occur in the middle of the night.
These symptoms often will pass if the child is carried into cool night air or taken into a steamy bathroom.
Symptoms from spasmodic croup usually improve within a few hours. However, it is common for the symptoms to reappear several nights in a row.
The doctor will review your child's symptoms. He or she will ask whether your child has been exposed to anyone with a cough or cold.
The doctor also will review your child's immunizations for Haemophilus influenzae. Without these immunizations, this bacterium can cause epiglottitis. Epiglottis is a potentially life-threatening infection that can suddenly block the windpipe. Symptoms of epiglottitis can be similar to those of croup.
Usually, your child's doctor can diagnose croup based on your child's history, symptoms and a physical examination.
If your child's symptoms are severe or unusual, X-rays or other tests may be needed. These tests will check for more severe illnesses of the lungs or throat, including epiglottitis.
Rarely, when a child has severe breathing difficulties, hospital care is necessary.
Symptoms of infectious croup usually go away within three to five days. However, some children have a mild cough that lasts a bit longer.
Spasmodic croup tends to recur. The period between episodes is very variable.
To help prevent viral infections that can cause croup:
Wash your hands frequently, especially after you blow your nose. Also, wash your hands after you care for someone who has a cough, cold or sore throat.
If someone in your household has a respiratory infection, keep his or her eating utensils and drinking glasses separate from those of other family members. Wash these glasses and utensils thoroughly in hot, soapy water.
If a toddler with a respiratory infection has been chewing or sucking on toys, wash these toys with soap and water and then rinse them well.
Promptly dispose of dirty tissues from runny noses and sneezes.
Ask anyone with a cough or cold to avoid kissing or playing with your child.
Your doctor probably will recommend actions to make breathing easier until the infection goes away.
These include:
Rest or quiet play
Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) to relieve any discomfort
Drinking plenty of fluids. This will prevent dehydration and help to move mucus out of the airways.
A cool mist vaporizer. Cool mist soothes and moistens the inflamed airways and helps mucus drain.
In some cases, your doctor also may prescribe corticosteroid drugs to relieve airway inflammation. These include dexamethasone, prednisone or prednisolone.
Most children with croup have mild forms of the illness that can be treated at home. In particular, spasmodic croup often improves dramatically with only a cool mist vaporizer.
In rare cases, a child with croup can develop severe breathing problems that must be treated in a hospital. There, the child can receive oxygen, epinephrine (a drug that opens the airways), corticosteroids and other measures to aid breathing.
When To Call a Professional
If your child appears to have severe breathing problems, either call for emergency help immediately, or take your child to an emergency room.
Some danger signs to watch for include:
Labored breathing with flaring nostrils or retractions
Blueness of the lips or fingernails
Restlessness or confusion
Sleepiness or lethargy
Severe bouts of coughing that last for more than one minute and interfere with breathing
Excessive drooling
High fevers
If your child appears to have severe breathing problems, either call for emergency help immediately, or take your child to an emergency room. Some danger signs to watch for include:
The majority of children with croup recover fully without complications.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
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Atlanta, GA 30333
Phone: 404-639-3534
Toll free: 1-800-311-3435
http://www.cdc.gov/
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID)
Office of Communications & Public Liaison
6610 Rockledge Drive, MSC6612
Bethesda, MD 20892-6612
Phone: 301-496-5717
http://www.niaid.nih.gov/
American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)
141 Northwest Point Blvd.
Elk Grove Village, IL 60007-1098
Phone: 847-434-4000
Fax: 847-434-8000
http://www.aap.org/
American Lung Association
61 Broadway, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10006br />Phone: 212-315-8700
Toll free: 1-800-548-8252http://www.lungusa.org/
American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP)
3300 Dundee Road
Northbrook, IL 60062-2348
Phone: 847-498-1400
Toll free: 1-800-343-2227
http://www.chestnet.org/
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