Contents
What is laryngitis and how does it manifest in children?
Laryngitis, not to be confused with angina, is a inflammation of the lining of the larynx. This small duct which extends the trachea and opens into the back throat has the shape of a hollow cylinder. It is made of eleven cartilages and has two skin folds, the vocal cords. When the caliber of this duct is reduced because it is inflamed, inflated, the air can no longer enter properly or it does so with difficulty, which constitutes an emergency. The child, often cold, wakes up in the middle of the night, he has great difficulty breathing. His inspiration is slow, noisy, difficult. She makes him sit still and throw his head back for air. He is obviously very distressed. His cough is dry, bitonal, his voice is hoarse, but the little patient is not necessarily feverish.
What treatment for laryngitis?
On his arrival, the doctor checks the possibility of a foreign body in the respiratory tract, he looks for a possible bronco-pulmonary pathology and specifies the level of obstruction of the larynx. He prescribes antispasmodics and corticosteroids orally for stridular laryngitis. In the event of subglottic laryngitis, he injects a corticosteroid treatment and waits twenty minutes, watching for the improvement of the child’s condition. If this does not come, he gives a second injection, and, if the latter still does not have an effect, he has the little patient hospitalized urgently, who will then be put on treatment with cortisone and adrenaline in aerosols. , and intubated, if necessary. Faced with epiglottitis, the child is rushed to hospital. The doctor injects him with intravenous antibiotics as soon as he arrives at home and treatment continues until the 8th day after the Haemophilus has disappeared.
How to react to laryngitis in the baby
Call a doctor or emergency immediately. In fact, whatever its form, laryngitis is always a medical emergency. Ask the doctor if you can already give a corticosteroid, such as Celestene, to your child (it is advisable to always have it in your pharmacy, even if it is only given on medical advice). While waiting for the doctor, do not force the child to lie down, on the contrary. The sitting position is the only one that can possibly relieve it. and this is even how, if necessary, he must be transported to the hospital. Also, don’t try to look deep in his throat with the handle of a spoon, it could have serious consequences. To help it breathe, create a humid atmosphere. In the past, it was recommended to boil a few eucalyptus leaves in a pot of hot water. If you have a nebulizer or an electric humidifier, don’t hesitate to use it. If not, go with the sick kid to the bathroom and run lots of hot water to produce the steam. Remember to close the door and window to prevent it from dissipating.
Recurrent laryngitis
Gastroesophageal reflux disease may be the cause. We must also think of congenital malformations of the larynx or permanent inflammation of the adenoids or tonsils. The doctor may suggest surgery.
Epiglottitis: a complication of laryngitis in children
It is rare, but very severe. This inflammation affects the epiglottis which is the real ‘cover’ of the larynx. The germ in question is a bacterium, Haemophilus influenzae. The symptom picture is very disturbing: the child is sitting in bed, leaning forward, mouth open and looking for air. It is important not to put him to bed at the risk of worsening his condition. Epiglottitis is also an extreme emergency which requires hospitalization of the child in a specialized environment. There is indeed a risk of acute asphyxia which requires intubation (in 95% of cases) or even a tracheotomy (surgical opening of the larynx to restore air circulation).
Subglottic laryngitis in children
Un edema important thickens the walls of the region of the larynx located under the vocal cords. The responsible virus attacks the child, aged 1 to 3, more in autumn or winter, but also when there is climate change. The child, who recently had a cold, was woken up at night by his respiratory dyspnea. His cough is hoarse and he has a fever.
Squeaky or spasmodic laryngitis: the most common
It is the most frequent and the least serious. The inflammation attacks the region of the larynx, located above the vocal cords. It causes spasm and contractures which can lead to asphyxiating coughs. The child then stops breathing completely and turns blue. Despite the very impressive nature of this state of crisis, everything is back to normal after a few minutes.