Contents
Acute subglottic laryngitis, usually affects children between 1 and 5 years of age, is caused by viruses (influenza, parainfluenza, rhinoviruses, adenoviruses) and occurs mainly in autumn and winter. It can endanger the life of a child. Children’s larynx easily reacts to infection by swelling of the mucosa, especially in the subglottic area. Therefore, this type of disease is called subglottic laryngitis (pseudo-croup). Children prone to the so-called blemishes.
What is acute laryngitis in young children?
Laryngitis in children looks completely different than in adults, if only because the child’s larynx is a little higher, and there is a lot of loose connective tissue under the mucosa that likes to swell. Adults usually start treatment at home, while for children the situation is slightly different – sometimes hospital treatment is necessary. In extreme cases, the child has to be intubated so that it does not suffocate. So this type of ailment is very dangerous in young children as it can even be life-threatening. Laryngitis in young children is often referred to as subglottic laryngitis because the larynx easily responds to infections by swelling of the mucosa in the subglottic area.
Swelling in laryngitis makes it very difficult to breathe. Depending on the age, different types of laryngitis appear. Nevertheless, dyspnea in a child should be an indication for a medical consultation as soon as possible.
Symptoms of subglottic laryngitis
Symptoms usually appear suddenly at night. These are:
- bark,
- laryngeal wheezing
- breathlessness upon inhalation
- anxiety,
- higher temperature.
The symptoms listed above develop quickly and are life-threatening. It is important to consult an ENT specialist as soon as possible.
The causes of acute laryngitis in young children
Acute laryngitis in young children usually occurs due to viruses (less commonly bacteria). Sometimes the ailment is allergic, but it can also be a consequence of an unhealed cold.
Types of laryngitis in children
1. Acute subglottic laryngitis in children. It originates from the subglottis, which in young children is the narrowest part of the larynx, and in its walls you can find a lot of tissue that can easily become infected and swell (it causes narrowing of the airways). Subglottic laryngitis typically affects babies from 4 months to 6 years of age. The greatest number of cases occurs in the fall and winter. The ailment is often preceded by catarrh of the upper respiratory tract.
Symptoms that indicate acute subglottic laryngitis are:
- shortness of breath
- hoarseness,
- whistling audible during inhalation (due to the narrowing of the larynx),
- barking cough.
As the symptoms of the disease appear suddenly and dangerous shortness of breath may occur, a medical visit or even hospitalization is necessary. Treatment of this condition depends on the patient’s condition. If the dyspnea is very severe, the little patient is intubated in the hospital, which consists in clearing the airways by placing a tube in them.
In addition, it is important in treatment:
- adequate irrigation of the little patient,
- humidifying the rooms where the child is,
- airing rooms,
- administering anti-inflammatory preparations (e.g. ibuprofen),
- administration of mucolytic agents,
- the use of inhalation from saline,
- administration of steroids (in children with dyspnea) – most often by intramuscular or intravenous route.
If your child has symptoms and his condition is rapidly deteriorating – do not wait and call an ambulance. Until help arrives, calm the child down and open all windows to ventilate the room.
Note: Subglottic laryngitis is a viral disease that can develop into inflammation of the middle ear, lungs and even bronchitis. This ailment should not be ignored.
2. Acute epiglottitis. It is a condition that usually affects children between the ages of two and seven. The cause of its occurrence is bacteria, usually Haemophilus influenzae typu b. The inflammation attacks the epiglottis, which becomes severely hyperemic and swollen, which in turn ends with obstruction of the respiratory tract. This ailment is characterized by a fairly rapid course and deterioration in breathing.
The symptoms are:
- audible whistling sound when inhaling air,
- swallowing problems that result in gagging
- strong sore throat,
- shortness of breath that increases rapidly
- salivation,
- changed timbre of voice,
- wet cough,
- a fever that goes up and down again (especially in severe infections)
- paleness,
- sweating.
Treatment
An ambulance should be called for children with epiglottitis. It is necessary to open the airways through intubation. In addition, the child is given antibiotics, which have a broad spectrum of action, and painkillers. Remember that epiglottitis is no joke, as it is a serious condition that can be life threatening. You can reduce the risk of getting sick by vaccinating your child against Haemophilus influenzae typu b.
3. Acute laryngitis, tracheitis and bronchitis. It usually occurs in children 6 months to 3 years of age (although relatively rarely). The ailment is of viral origin, and during its duration, erosions as well as thick and sticky discharge appear on the mucosa of the trachea, larynx and bronchi.
How is laryngitis manifested in a child?
- dyspnoea,
- high temperature,
- hoarseness,
- wet cough (barking),
- thick discharge difficult to expectorate.
How to cure laryngitis in children?
Treatment of laryngitis is based on administering intravenous preparations to children and cleaning the bronchi (this cannot be done at home). However, it is possible to use pats or expectorants, but it is a method that complements the treatment. The child’s condition deteriorates gradually, therefore the diagnosis is made by the pediatrician, who in turn directs the little patient to the hospital. You may hear murmurs when auscultating the chest, as the bronchi are also affected by the infection.
During hospitalization, the child undergoes bronchoscopy to clear the respiratory tract and is hydrated. Additionally, he is given expectorants and antibiotics (if there is secondary bacterial infection).
In over 90% of cases, subglottic laryngitis is usually responsible for the symptom of upper respiratory tract infection in the form of dyspnea. Young children are hospitalized and intubated more often to prevent suffocation. Parents should remember that in each case the child should be examined by a doctor who will assess himself what treatment it requires.
Usually, treatment of subglottic laryngitis is carried out in the hospital. It is based on the administration of intravenous glucocorticosteroids. In the case of bacterial superinfection, it is of course necessary to include an antibiotic.
As an aid in the treatment of laryngitis and for problems with the throat and vocal cords, try Marshmallow root, which is brewed like tea.
How to prevent acute laryngitis in young children?
Here are some practical tips to reduce your child’s risk of laryngitis.
1. The rooms where the child stays should be regularly aired – especially during the heating season; you can purchase a special thermometer that measures the air humidity and warns us when the humidity level is too low. You can also invest in an air humidifier.
2. Avoid smoking cigarettes in front of children and staying with them in smoky rooms.
3. Eliminate from the environment all irritants and factors that may sensitize the child, eg dust, animal hair, harmful vapors.
4. Invest in an inhaler. It is a special device that when connected to electricity, changes the liquid into a mist as a result of the pressure generated. The mist can be inhaled using the included baby mask. The inhaler is recommended especially for children with laryngitis because it facilitates direct administration of the drug and is a better version of intramuscular injection, which often makes the child cry. Currently, there are various child-friendly devices of this type on the market, with interesting shapes and colors.