Acute epiglottitis

Acute epiglottitis

In children acute epiglottitis is of rapid onset. It tends to occur in children of 2 years of age and over. Stridor is usually associated with drooling of saliva. The condition is caused by Haemophilus influenzae infection, which initially causes a severe pharyngitis that extends to involve the laryngeal inlet, causing inflamma tion and oedema. Further progression involves the whole of the supraglottic larynx, with severe oedema of the aryepig folds and epiglottis being the most notable component, hence the commonly used term ‘acute epiglottitis’. These children frequently require intensive management with emergency intubation or tracheostomy followed by oxy genation, humidification, continuous oximetry and antibiot ics. There may be associated septicaemia, so blood cultures should be obtained. Attempted examination with a spatula into the mouth may precipitate a respiratory ar rest and should be avoided. The incidence of acute epiglottitis has plummeted where H. influenzae vaccination programmes are in place. Acute epiglottitis

In children acute epiglottitis is of rapid onset. It tends to occur in children of 2 years of age and over. Stridor is usually associated with drooling of saliva. The condition is caused by Haemophilus influenzae infection, which initially causes a severe pharyngitis that extends to involve the laryngeal inlet, causing inflamma tion and oedema. Further progression involves the whole of the supraglottic larynx, with severe oedema of the aryepig folds and epiglottis being the most notable component, hence the commonly used term ‘acute epiglottitis’. These children frequently require intensive management with emergency intubation or tracheostomy followed by oxy genation, humidification, continuous oximetry and antibiot ics. There may be associated septicaemia, so blood cultures should be obtained. Attempted examination with a spatula into the mouth may precipitate a respiratory ar rest and should be avoided. The incidence of acute epiglottitis has plummeted where H. influenzae vaccination programmes are in place.