Site icon Ditch Doc EM

5 Essential Steps to Managing Croup

croup

Episode 9: 5 Essential Steps to Managing Croup

Show Notes

 Background

Croup, a.k.a. laryngotracheitis is a common viral illness seen predominantly in children and affecting the upper respiratory tract.  While typically mild, croup has the potential to become life-threatening in some cases.  By causing subglottic edema, croup narrows the upper airway, sometimes causing respiratory distress.  In extreme circumstances, respiratory arrest may result.

Identifying Croup

https://www.ditchdocem.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Croup.mp3?_=1

Remain Alert for Signs of Impending Respiratory Arrest

Essential Management Steps

#1 Keep the Patient Calm

#2 Monitor with Pulse Oximetry and Capnography

#3 Manage Airway Restriction with Nebulized Epinephrine



#4 Reduce Inflammation with Corticosteroids

#5 Treat Fever with Antipyretics



Thanks for listening/reading, please take a moment to follow the site via email, so you don’t miss any future episodes!  You can also follow me on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, so you can let me know what you think of the show & the site!  Many of the posts and podcast episodes come from your suggestions, so I would love to hear those as well!  Until next time, stay safe & treat aggressively!

Owen Wood



References

Bjornson C, Russell KF, Vandermeer B, Durec T, Klassen TP, Johnson DW. Cochrane Review: Nebulized epinephrine for croup in children. Evidence-Based Child Health: A Cochrane Review Journal. 2012;7(4):1311–1354.

Croup. Background, Epidemiology. 2017 Nov 15 [accessed 2017 Dec 28]. https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/962972-overview

Diphtheria – Infectious Diseases. Merck Manuals Professional Edition. [accessed 2017 Dec 28]. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/infectious-diseases/gram-positive-bacilli/diphtheria

Eghbali A, Sabbagh A, Bagheri B, Taherahmadi H, Kahbazi M. Efficacy of nebulized L-epinephrine for treatment of croup: a randomized, double-blind study. Fundamental & Clinical Pharmacology. 2015;30(1):70–75.

Hansen M, Meckler G, Lambert W, Dickinson C, Dickinson K, Guise J-M. Paramedic assessment and treatment of upper airway obstruction in pediatric patients: an exploratory analysis by the Childrens Safety Initiative-Emergency Medical Services. The American Journal of Emergency Medicine. 2016;34(3):599–601.

Hansen M, Meckler G, Lambert W, Dickinson C, Dickinson K, Guise J-M. Paramedic assessment and treatment of upper airway obstruction in pediatric patients: an exploratory analysis by the Childrens Safety Initiative-Emergency Medical Services. The American Journal of Emergency Medicine. 2016;34(3):599–601.

Exit mobile version