Abstract
The airways in infants and children are anatomically different from adults, thus predisposing them to more acute upper airway obstruction. The causes of upper airway obstruction may be infective or non-infective. The presence of dysphonia, dysphagia, abnormal respiratory pattern, cough and abnormal posture suggests upper airway obstruction. The general management consist of supportive care with minimal invasive procedures. The specific treatment depends on the causes and is discussed in text.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Chameides, Hazinski MF Textbook of Pediatric Advanced Life Support. American Heart Association. American Academy of Pediatrics, Airway and Ventilation 1994, pp. 4.1–4.4.
Grad R, Taussig LM. Acute infections producing upper airway obstruction. In : Disorders of the Respiratory Tract in Children. Ed. Chernick V, Kendig EL. W.B. Saunders Company 1990, pp. 336–349.
Baugh R, Gilmore BB. ections croup: A critical review.Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1986, 95: 40–45.
Wagener JS, Landau LI, Olinsky A, Phelan PD: Management of children hospitalised for laryngotracheobronchitis.Pediatr Pulmonol 1986, 2 : 159–163.
Capitanio MA, Kirkpatric JA. Upper respiratory tract obstruction in infants and children.Radiol Clin North Am 1968, 6: 265–277.
Lu TS, Ohmura A, Wong KC, Hodges MR. Helium-oxygen in treatment of upper airway obstruction.Anaesthesiology 1976, 45: 678–680.
Taussig LM, Castro O, Beaudry PH, Fox WW, Bueau M. Treatment of laryngotracheo-bronchitis (Croup).Am J Dis Child 1975; 129: 790–793.
Kuusela AL, Vesikari T. A randomized double-blind placebo controlled trial of dexamethasone and racemic epinephrine in the treatment of croup.Acta Paediatr Scand 1988; 77: 99–104.
Super DM, Cartelli NA, Brooks LJet al. A prospective randomized double-blind study to evaluate the effect of dexamethasone in acte laryngotracheitis.J Pediatr 1989; 115: 323–329.
Mahajan A, Alvear D, Chang Cet al. Bacterial tracheltis, diagnosis and treatment,Int J Pediatr Otorhino laryngol 1985; 10: 271–277.
Liston SL, Gehrz RC, Siegel LG, Tilelli J. Bacterial tracheitis.Am J Dis Child 1983; 137: 764–766.
MayoSmith MF, Hirsch PJ, Wodzinski SF, Schiffman FJ. Acute epiglottitis in adults.N Engl J Med 1986; 314: 1133–1139.
Lacroix J, Ahronheim G, Arcand Pet al. Group A Streptococcal Supraglottis.J. Pediatr 1986, 109: 20–24.
Lazoritz S, Saunders BS, Bason WM. Management of acute epiglottitis.Crit Care Med 1979; 7: 285–287.
Peltola H. C-reactive protein in rapid differentiation of acute epiglottitis from spasmodic croup and acute laryngotracheitis: A preliminary report.J Pediatr 1983; 102: 713–715.
Strome M, Jaffe B. Epiglottitis-Individualized Management with steroids.Laryngoscope 1974, 84: 921–928.
Adair JC, Ring WH. Management of epiglottitis in children.Anaesth Analg 1975, 54: 622–624.
Rowe LD. Airway obstruction in the pediatric patient. In Crumley RL (ed):Common Problems of the Head and Neck Region. Philadelphia, W.B. Saunders Co., 1988.
Chenaud M, Leclerc F, Martinot A. Bacterial croup and toxic shock syndrome.Eur J Pediatr 1986; 145: 306–307.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Lahiri, K. Upper airway obstruction. Indian J Pediatr 63, 665–671 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02730817
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02730817