Pediatrics



Family Medicine Internal Medicine, General Pediatric Primary Care



Pediatrics


Children's Hospital

Croup

What is croup?

Croup is a disease caused by a virus that leads to swelling in the airways and problems breathing. The child may also have stridor, a high-pitched sound usually heard when the child breathes in (inspiration).

What causes croup?

Croup is caused by a variety of different viruses. The most common virus is the parainfluenza virus. Other viruses may include:

respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
influenza virus
measles
adenovirus
enteroviruses

A child becomes infected through direct contact with a person, or the secretions of another person who is infected with the disease. The infection begins in the upper respiratory tract and then slowly spreads down the tract. Swelling affects the area around the voice box (larynx) and into the trachea.

Younger children are more affected by croup because their airways are smaller. Therefore, a small amount of swelling can cause a large amount of obstruction in their airways.

Facts about croup:

Croup is most commonly seen in children 3 months old to 5 years.
The peak time for croup to occur is 2 years old.
Boys seem to be more affected by croup than girls.
Croup is seen more often in the winter.

What are the symptoms of croup?

The following are the most common symptoms of croup. However, each child may experience symptoms differently. As the disease progresses down the respiratory tract, the symptoms also change and may include:

a runny nose, congestion, and slight cough
a cough develops into a "seal's bark"
laryngitis
fever
stridor
Stridor is a high-pitched sound that is usually noted as the child breathes in (inspiration), although it can also be heard as the child breathes out (expiration).

Very often, the symptoms are worse at night and wake the child from sleep. Symptoms also seem to improve in the morning but progress as the day goes on. The extent of the disease varies for each child. Most children improve in three to seven days. The symptoms of croup may resemble other conditions and medical problems. Always consult your child's physician for a diagnosis.

How is croup diagnosed?

In addition to a complete medical history and physical examination, diagnostic procedures for croup may include:

neck and chest x-rays - a diagnostic test which uses invisible electromagnetic energy beams to produce images of internal tissues, bones, and organs onto film.

blood tests

pulse oximetry - an oximeter is a small machine that measures the amount of oxygen in the blood. To obtain this measurement, a small sensor (like a Band-Aid®) is taped onto a finger or toe. When the machine is on, a small red light can be seen in the sensor. The sensor is painless and the red light does not get hot.

Treatment for croup:

Specific treatment for croup will be determined by your child's physician based on:

your child's age, overall health, and medical history
extent of the disease
your child's tolerance for specific medications, procedures, or therapies
expectations for the course of the disease
your opinion or preference

In severe cases of croup, or if your child is not breathing well, hospitalization may be considered. This is sometimes hard to tell because the disease fluctuates, and your child may seem better at one moment, and then get worse the next. Your child's physician may also order the following medications to help with the symptoms of croup:

breathing treatments (to help open up the airways)
injections of medications (to help decrease the swelling in the airways)
steroids given by mouth (to also help with the swelling of the airways)

Supportive treatment at home may also include:

using a cool mist humidifier
taking the child outside into cool, dry, night air
increased fluid intake
treating a fever with acetaminophen or ibuprofen, as instructed by your child's physician
keeping your child as quiet and calm as possible (to help decrease the breathing effort)

Click here to view the
Online Resources page of this Web.

Pediatric Care at Rush

Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois, is a leader in caring for children of all ages, from newborns through young adults.

At Rush, physicians from more than 30 specialties address the full range of pediatric diseases and congenital problems, from the common to the complex. Rush pediatricians, pediatric surgeons, nurses and other health professionals provide care that aims to fulfill community needs, empower parents and advance pediatric care.

For more information about the pediatric care at Rush visit the Rush Children’s Hospital home page.

Or phone (888) RUSH-KID or (888) 787-4543.

Looking for More Health Information?

Visit our Health Information home page.

or
Visit Discover Rush’s Web Resource page to find articles on health topics and recent health news from Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois. You will also find many helpful links to other areas of our site.

Looking for a Doctor?

Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois, is a leader in caring for people of all ages, from newborns through older adults.

Just phone (888) 352-RUSH or (888) 352-7874 for help finding the Rush doctor who’s right for you.



Respiratory Conditions Common Childhood Illness and Concerns Croup

Department of Clinical Nutrition (Graduate Programs)