False croup– pathology of infectious-allergic nature, causing development swelling of the larynx with subsequent stenosis. Narrowing of the lumen respiratory tract, including the larynx, leads to insufficient air supply to the lungs and poses a threat to the patient’s life, so help for this condition should be provided immediately - within minutes after the attack.

Etiology

A pathological condition such as false croup is a consequence of other respiratory viral lesions respiratory system. Mostly young children (younger) are affected preschool age), which is related to anatomical features the structure of their larynx and trachea. Moreover, boys are several times more likely to suffer from this disease than girls.

Adults can encounter such a pathology only in one single case - if the swelling is of a pronounced allergic nature. That is, when a person is allergic to any irritants, it can manifest itself in him in the form of narrowing of the airway and suffocation.

In general, in medical practice There are two such concepts as true and false croup. True develops against the background of diphtheria damage to the larynx and passes with the formation of films and plaque. This is precisely why true stenosis differs from false stenosis - with false stenosis, only hyperemia and swelling of the soft tissues are observed, causing compression of the respiratory tube.

Often, false croup develops against the background of another disease and the cause of its occurrence is infection:

• adenovirus;
• virus;
• mycoplasmas and chlamydia;
• virus.

In some cases, the reasons for the development pathological condition in a child are the entry into the body of either viruses and.

Bacterial infections of the respiratory tract can also lead to swelling of the larynx and the development of stenosis. In particular, false croup can appear when exposed to:

• hemophilus and .

At the same time, not every child who has viruses or bacterial agents in their body develops this pathology. The reasons are that they lack predisposing factors such as:

• penchant for allergic reactions;
• frequent respiratory diseases;
• period after vaccinations;
• birth injuries;

It is also necessary to understand the question of why young children are faced with such a phenomenon as false croup. The reason is that their trachea and larynx are still too soft, and therefore the surrounding swollen tissue can easily compress them, cutting off the flow of air. In addition, in children the nervous system is not yet sufficiently developed, so neurohumoral regulation is still imperfect, which is characterized by increased excitability of the laryngeal muscles.

Note that false croup most often develops in children during the off-season, when immunity decreases and the likelihood of contracting a bacterial or viral infection increases. It should be remembered that false croup is an extremely serious condition, so such a child should receive help immediately when the first symptoms appear. Otherwise you have little patient Coma may also develop, with all the ensuing consequences and a threat to life.

Symptoms

False croup manifests itself in several stages and its symptoms usually appear at night. Stage one is characterized by the child’s anxiety, the appearance of a rough “barking” cough, shortness of breath and rapid breathing. In this condition, you can help the baby and prevent the progression of the pathology, however ambulance nevertheless, it is advisable to call, since you can never predict how the baby’s body will react to therapeutic measures.

The second stage is characterized by the appearance of noisy breathing, increasing shortness of breath and the participation of additional respiratory muscles in the process of inhalation and exhalation. As the attack progresses, the child becomes pale, covered in cold sweat, and signs of anxiety increase. The lips and area around the mouth become bluish, which is the main symptom for parents, indicating that their child is experiencing a lack of oxygen.

If during this period you do not provide emergency care child, there are more serious symptoms, such as:

• anxiety and fear, turning into apathy and lethargy;
• the appearance of signs of respiratory failure and tissue hypoxia;
• the appearance of hoarseness;
• severe shortness of breath;
• noisy breathing with gradual cessation of cough (due to stenosis of the lumen of the larynx);
• development of cyanosis of the skin and mucous membranes;
• a sharp drop in pressure;
• fainting.

The last, terminal stage is characterized by symptoms such as coma, development convulsive syndrome, slow blood circulation and cardiac arrest.

Emergency care and treatment

As can be seen from the above, false croup is very dangerous condition, causing the death of a child in a matter of minutes. Therefore, when the first signs appear, parents should take care to slow down the severity of symptoms until emergency doctors arrive.

This can be done by inhaling the child’s airways with saline solution or giving him the opportunity to breathe over a bath of hot steam. In addition, it is necessary to remove clothes that restrict breathing and open all the windows in the home to provide access to fresh air. This is what first aid is, but before the ambulance arrives, a number of other measures should be taken. In particular, it is advisable to give the child fluids frequently, let him take any antihistamine available in the home medicine cabinet, which will slow down the appearance of edema.

Treatment of false croup is carried out in a hospital under the supervision of a doctor. Young patients are prescribed inhalations with naphthyzine, saline and other decongestant drugs. Also in mandatory They are shown hormone injections to stop the swelling and reverse it.

It is necessary to take care of treatment concomitant pathology which caused laryngeal stenosis. For this purpose, either antiviral or antibacterial drugs(depending on the pathogen).

To calm a child who is experiencing extreme stress due to breathing problems, a technique is recommended. sedatives. In severe cases, the child undergoes tracheal intubation or tracheostomy with the installation of a breathing tube, which is removed after the decongestant therapy has taken effect and the airway is again patent.

Although when timely treatment The prognosis for this pathology is favorable; parents should remember that false croup is prone to relapse. Therefore, your home first aid kit should always contain first aid in such a situation.

Acute laryngitis is much more dangerous for children than for adults. This is explained by the fact that the size of the larynx in babies is much smaller, so the risk of extreme narrowing of the glottis increases, and this can lead to complete cessation of breathing. Treatment of the disease is complicated by the fact that it is necessary to ensure a full larynx for at least a week, and to prohibit the child from speaking in such a language. long term extremely difficult.

Causes of acute laryngitis in children

Another well-known name for acute laryngitis in children is false croup; in this disease, the mucous membrane lining the larynx becomes inflamed. In spring and winter periods the incidence of the disease increases slightly. Results statistical research they say that children aged 3 months to 7 years are most susceptible to this disease, with boys suffering from laryngitis more often than girls.

The main cause of false croup in children is exposure to respiratory viruses (adenoviruses, parainfluenza viruses, etc.) on the upper respiratory tract. However, bacteria can also be the causative agent of this disease. Quite often, laryngitis is a complication of such infectious diseases, like scarlet fever and measles. Among the factors contributing to the occurrence of false croup in children are: poor living conditions, malnutrition of the child, deficiency of vitamins in the child’s body, hypothermia, weakness of the body resulting from physical and mental fatigue. Children who have nasal breathing severely difficult or completely absent due to the proliferation of adenoids, more often than others they develop acute laryngitis.

Possible different localization focus of inflammation. Thus, the inflammatory process can occur on the mucous membrane covering the epiglottis, on the mucous membrane covering the vocal folds, on the mucous membrane lining the subglottic space; in some cases, the inflammation process covers the entire surface of the larynx. The mucous membrane swells; irritation leads to increased mucus production. If the source of inflammation is localized in the subglottic space, then, in addition to swelling of the mucous membrane and increased secretion of mucus, spasm of the laryngeal muscles occurs. Spasm leads to acute stenosis larynx, also called false croup (true croup develops). Then the child’s condition becomes serious.

Signs of an attack of false croup in children

In most cases, laryngitis does not severe course. But if the disease is severe, if due to swelling of the mucous membrane that lines the larynx, difficulty breathing occurs, the life of the sick child is in danger. With this in mind, if you suspect symptoms acute laryngitis With children, the mother should not hesitate. She should urgently contact her pediatrician or call an ambulance. In children 2-3 years old, signs of false croup appear quite quickly - within a day, and sometimes just overnight. This happens because the body’s resistance in children of this age is weak, and the body quickly “loses ground.”

The first symptom of false croup in children- slight malaise. Then there is an increase in body temperature - usually more than 38 ᵒC. The child's voice becomes hoarse or hoarse, more in rare cases(severe) aphonia develops, i.e. the voice disappears completely. Another characteristic manifestation of acute laryngitis is a dry barking cough in the first days of illness. Subsequently, the cough becomes wet, with the discharge of scanty sputum. The child feels rawness and burning in the throat and complains about it. If the disease becomes severe and due to swelling of the mucous membrane, breathing becomes difficult, the child becomes restless and cries; he is very scared because he has difficulty breathing. With further deterioration of the condition, an attack of false croup in children can lead to suffocation, an obvious sign of which is cyanotic (blue) lips in the baby. A doctor examining the child's larynx (JIOP doctor) sees bright hyperemia and swelling of the mucous membrane that covers vocal cords. Edema and soft fabrics located under the glottis. Acute laryngitis usually lasts several days.

If, for the symptoms of acute laryngitis in children, treatment is not started in a timely manner, if the sick child is in unfavorable conditions, disrupts the voice mode, does not have sufficient care and therapy is not carried out to the required extent, the disease may develop into a protracted form.

What to do in case of false croup in a child: inhalations and prevention of acute laryngitis in children

What to do in case of false croup in a child, having barely suspected the first signs of the disease? Parents should under no circumstances take risks and self-medicate. As soon as the child begins to develop clinical picture acute laryngitis, it is necessary, without delay, to call pediatrician. When treating acute laryngitis in children, the sick child needs voice rest and strict bed rest. The child needs quality care from loved ones. Constant monitoring of the child must be ensured, since his condition, if it gets worse, gets worse quickly. Monitoring by the mother at night is especially important when treating false croup in children. The child should know that one should breathe only through the nose, because the main function of the nose is to prepare the inhaled air to pass through the respiratory tract - the air is cleaned, warmed, and moistened. If a child breathes through his mouth, he “loads” the larynx too much, and it naturally responds with inflammation of the mucous membrane. If your child has a stuffy nose, the doctor will recommend vasoconstrictor drops. Mitigates the course of the disease when abundant and frequent alkaline drink. Having identified the symptoms of false croup in children, physiotherapy is prescribed to treat the disease: UHF, diathermy on the larynx, etc. If the body temperature rises, the child is given antipyretics.

How to treat acute laryngitis in a child at home? Regular inhalations - alkaline and oil inhalations - help to cope with the manifestations of the disease more quickly. The inhalation procedure can be performed at home - using a special inhaler (you can find many modifications of inhalers on sale) or such simple objects, like a kettle, saucepan, rubber heating pad of suitable capacity. It is possible for a mother to give her child inhalations with a solution of furatsilin, with a solution of baking soda, with infusions and decoctions medicinal plants, characterized by antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effects. Inhalations for false croup in a child with a decoction of chamomile flowers, a decoction of the herb sage, an infusion of the herb St. John's wort, an infusion of calendula flowers are effective. With the remedies we have named, you can also gargle your child’s throat. Frequent rinsing is recommended. The effectiveness of rinses increases if the products used are alternated.

To prevent false croup in children, the following are considered: regular ventilation of living quarters, systematic walks of the child, exclusion of the child’s contact with people sick with influenza or other acute illnesses. respiratory infections, good nutrition for the child, containing sufficient vitamins. To prevent false croup in children, it is necessary to begin hardening the baby as early as possible.

Emergency first aid for false croup (acute laryngitis) in children

If difficulty breathing occurs and there is an increasing threat of suffocation, the child is taken to the hospital by ambulance.

When there is a threat of suffocation, every minute becomes valuable. And a mother whose child shows a tendency to laryngitis should know what to do in this case.

When providing emergency care for acute laryngitis in children, while someone at home calls an ambulance, you need to:

• organize quick and high-quality ventilation of the room in which the sick child is located. How more content There will be oxygen in the air, the less the baby will suffer from difficulty breathing. In the warm season, when providing assistance with false croup in children, you can open the window wide;
• in the room in which the sick child is located, you need to humidify the air - for example, hang several wet towels(better - terry). Due to the rapid evaporation of water from the surface of the towels, the air in the room is moistened and ceases to irritate (dry out) the inflamed mucous membrane of the larynx. A boiling kettle will humidify the air in the room even faster. If it is not possible to install a boiling kettle in the children's room, you can place 2-3 pots of water that have just boiled in the corners of the room.
• When providing emergency care for false croup in children, you need to make the baby sit in a sitting position, so it is easier for the child to breathe. An older child may sit in bed or on a chair, small child It’s better to take it on your lap - this is important because a baby whose breathing is difficult is scared. It will be much easier for him to cope with fear on his mother’s lap.
• When providing first aid for false croup in children, you need to do everything to calm the child, distract him from frightening thoughts about difficulty breathing and a possible worsening of the condition. Getting excited from fear, the child begins to breathe more often, and this only aggravates the severity of the condition. Calm, slow breathing of the baby through the nose - this is what a mother should be able to achieve.

Treatment of false croup (acute laryngitis) at home with folk remedies

There are several phytomedicine recommendations on how to treat false croup in children, the most effective of them are listed below:

• if, due to a spasm of the muscles of the larynx, it becomes difficult for the child to breathe, you should try to induce vomiting - press the child with a spatula, or a spoon, or simply with your finger on the root of the tongue; at the same time, a reflex mechanism is triggered, as a result of which breathing can become easier;
• irrigate the throat with an infusion of peppermint herb; preparing the infusion: pour 1 tablespoon of dried, carefully crushed herb with a glass of boiling water and leave in a sealed container at room temperature for about half an hour, strain through a fine strainer or 2-3 layers of gauze; irrigate the child’s throat with this infusion several times a day after meals;
• irrigate the throat and oral cavity with a warm infusion of warty birch leaves; preparing an infusion; dried leaves(it is recommended to select only young sticky leaves) chop well, pour 1 tablespoon of raw material with a glass of boiling water and leave in a sealed container at room temperature for at least half an hour, strain through 2-3 layers of gauze, squeeze out the rest of the raw material through the same gauze; irrigate the child's throat several times a day.
• When treating false croup at home, you need to irrigate the throat with a warm decoction of the herb Salvia officinalis. Preparation of the decoction; the dried raw materials should be thoroughly crushed with a pestle in a mortar, 1 tablespoon of the powder should be poured into a glass of boiling water and heated in a boiling water bath for about 10 minutes, after which the product should be quickly cooled, strained through 2 layers of gauze, and the remainder squeezed out through the same gauze; irrigate the throat several times a day; for catarrhal symptoms of the nose and nasopharynx, it is recommended to instill the decoction into the child’s nose while lying on his back;
• gargle with a warm infusion of the following collection: sage leaves - 3 parts, common oak bark - 3 parts, cinquefoil rhizomes - 3 parts, fennel fruits - 1 part; preparing the infusion: place 1 teaspoon of the dry, crushed mixture in a preheated thermos, pour a glass of boiling water and leave for 3-4 hours, cool, strain; gargle 5-6 times a day; alternate with other means;
• drink an infusion from the following collection: mix coltsfoot leaves, plantain leaves and licorice root in equal quantities; preparing the infusion: pour 1 teaspoon of the dry, crushed mixture with a glass of boiling water and leave, covered, for at least 20 minutes, strain; drink warm, a quarter glass 3 times a day.

How and with what to treat acute laryngitis (false croup) in children at home

Here are some more tips on how to treat acute laryngitis at home using traditional medicine recipes:

• instill into the nose (the child lies on his back) 1-2 full pipettes of any vegetable oil- sunflower, corn, olive, apricot, peach, citral, etc.; after instillation, the child should lie on his back for a couple of minutes; when it rises, the oil will flow down the back wall nasopharynx, oropharynx, will reach the hypopharynx and lubricate the inflamed mucous membrane; thin layer vegetable oil will protect the inflamed mucous membrane from irritating external factors(dry air, cold air) and thereby will contribute speedy recovery; do such instillations 2-3 times a day.
• In the treatment of acute laryngitis folk remedies, you need to include more warm porridges in the menu of a sick child ( semolina porridge, oatmeal, buckwheat, rice and other porridges); when a child slowly eats warm porridge, his throat warms up, and inflammation goes away faster (heat is the enemy of any inflammation); It is recommended to add fresh ingredients to porridge butter; It is known that butter contains a lot of vitamin A; this vitamin has pronounced antioxidant properties - in other words, it is able to directly destroy the infection; in addition, butter nourishes the mucous membrane well;
• Do inhalations with clove oil 1-2 times a day;
• give the baby warm-moist inhalations using a baking soda solution; preparing the solution: dissolve half a teaspoon of baking soda in 200 ml of boiling water; performing the procedure: the child (together with the mother) bend over a cup with a solution, cover with a large towel or blanket and inhale the steam rising above the cup; duration of the procedure - 10-12 minutes;
• give the child warm-moist inhalations using an infusion of the trifid herb; preparing the infusion: pour 1 tablespoon of dried, well-chopped herb with 2 cups of boiling water and leave in a sealed container at room temperature for 45 minutes, strain through 1-2 layers of gauze and bring the product to a boil; inhale steam; This procedure is recommended to be performed within 12-15 minutes; You need to do such inhalations several times a day;
• do inhalations with an infusion prepared on the basis of the following mixture of medicinal plant materials: tripartite herb - 1 part, chamomile flowers - 1 part, white chamomile herb - 1 part; preparing the infusion: pour 1 tablespoon of the dried mixture, crushed into a fine powder, with a glass of boiling water and leave in a sealed container at room temperature for about 15 minutes, strain through several layers of gauze and bring the product to a boil; (for a description of the procedure, see page 30 in italics); inhale warm steam for about 15 minutes;
• do warm-moist inhalations with an infusion of black currant leaves; preparing the infusion: pour 1 tablespoon of dried, well-ground raw material into 2 cups of boiling water and leave in a sealed container at room temperature for 45 minutes, strain through 1-2 layers of gauze and bring the product to a boil; inhale steam for 10-12 minutes; do such inhalations several times a day.
• As a treatment for acute laryngitis in children using folk remedies, you can drink warm milk with melted butter several times a day.
• If you have a debilitating cough, drink warm milk diluted by half with some alkaline mineral water (Borjomi is best suited for this purpose); You can also add honey - 1 teaspoon per glass of milk with mineral water;
• several times during the day, drink 1 tablespoon of lingonberry juice with honey or sugar;
• drink freshly squeezed daily carrot juice; The amount of juice that a child can take according to his age should be recommended to the mother by the local pediatrician;
• drink an infusion of wild rosemary herb; preparing the infusion: pour half a teaspoon of dry herb into a glass of cold boiled water and leave covered for 6-8 hours, strain; take a quarter glass 3-4 times a day.

Enough frequent syndrome during a viral or, less commonly, bacterial infection respiratory tract is false croup in children. Its danger lies in the rapid and sometimes lightning-fast development, the need to take certain measures even before the arrival of the medical team. Children from one to 5 years of age are most susceptible to it, especially those who have had birth trauma, hypoxia during childbirth or artificially fed.

But even absolutely healthy, rarely ill children can suffer from false croup: an excessive immune response to the introduction of certain viruses and bacteria into the mucous membranes of the respiratory organs is assumed.

False croup is a lack of air intake into the child's body, caused by a narrowing of the glottis due to edema. A child’s larynx is narrow (from 0.5 cm), and during infection its walls thicken and swell, which significantly reduces the lumen of the windpipe. Increased mucus production in response to infection also reduces the diameter of the airway. In addition, a reflex spasm of the ligaments is often associated, which makes it difficult for air to enter the lungs.

The causes of false croup are catarrhal diseases: ARVI, and parainfluenza (most often), scarlet fever, . If microbes from the tonsils penetrate into the larynx during a sore throat, false croup of bacterial origin may develop. It happens less often viral cereals, but is no less difficult to tolerate.

Children who are prone to allergies are predisposed to developing croup during an infectious disease.

Important! Unlike true croup, when an obstacle to the movement of air is created by dense diphtheria films that block the throat, false croup occurs precisely because of the narrowing of the glottis.

Most often, false croup in children is an acute and ongoing condition. Subacute (gradually developing) course is observed in children with chronic processes– tonsillitis, adenoids, nasal polyps, oral diseases. In this case, the symptoms of the disease are not detected immediately, but appear gradually, the body adapts to new conditions before the condition becomes more complicated. Therefore, laryngeal stenosis is often not detected immediately. Children with a clear picture of croup in subacute development feel satisfactory when acute course the condition is severe.

False croup in children: symptoms and treatment

Symptoms of false croup and stages of development of the syndrome

The main sign that the likelihood of developing false croup in a respiratory disease is high is: respiratory failure. The slightest signs of shortness of breath should alert parents, force them to be on alert, and take preventive measures.

Croup can occur suddenly, develop quickly, and in a short period of time go from a mild illness to a severe irreversible condition. But in most cases before terminal stage does not reach, from the bright manifestations of the disease the body returns to its original state just as quickly. But for this you need to know the symptoms and be able to help the child in time.

False croup occurs in 4 stages. When taking timely measures negative dynamics can be stopped at stages 1–3. Symptoms of the disease are shown in the table.

Stage I. Compensation

Breathing features: shortness of breath only during emotional or physical stress. It is expressed not so much by increased breathing, but by lengthening the inhalation, the disappearance of the pause between inhalation and exhalation.

Feeling satisfactory, symptoms of the underlying disease (fever, cough, runny nose, etc.)

Outcome: Recovery or transition to the second stage.

Stage II. Subcompensation

Features of breathing: shortness of breath, even at rest, rapid breathing. Inhalation is difficult and accompanied by wheezing. To ensure breathing, auxiliary muscles are activated - the muscles of the chest, abdomen, and when inhaling, the wings of the nose inflate. Cyanosis (blueness) of the nasolabial triangle. Rough barking cough.

The child is restless, touches the collar of his shirt, feels afraid, and cries.

Outcome: Reverse development of the syndrome or transition to the stage of decompensation.

Stage III. Decompensation

Features of breathing: suffocation, paradoxical breathing - superficial and infrequent, pallor of the skin.

The child is lethargic, apathetic, there is no activity, the consciousness is unstable, confused.

Important! Spontaneous resolution of the syndrome at this stage is rare; urgent assistance is required.

Stage IV. Terminal

Features of breathing: respiratory arrest and drop in cardiac activity.

Increased pallor, loss of consciousness, involuntary passage of urine and feces.

Outcome: Clinical death.

Treatment of false croup syndrome

At the first signs of shortness of breath, it is necessary to take measures to stop the attack and eliminate the conditions for its development. The patient's parents should:

• Call an ambulance immediately - if you suspect croup, the child needs medical examination and, based on the results, hospitalization or outpatient treatment;
• Create a calm atmosphere around the patient - do not shout, do not even talk loudly, express confidence in your behavior that the situation is under control;
• If the patient is frightened, take the child in your arms, do not leave him alone in the room - nervous tension causes a reflex contraction of the ligament muscles, which aggravates the situation;
• Ensure an influx of cool, moist air - it is best to open a window, even in winter (wrap up the child first) - cool air reduces the volume of mucous membranes, and moisture dilutes the secretions;
• You can carry out inhalation using a nebulizer - inhaling cold steam will improve the child’s condition;
• If an inhaler is not available, the child is brought into a bathroom filled with steam (it cools in the air), where it is useful to perform distracting foot baths.

These simple but urgent measures should help stop the development of false croup and wait for the arrival of doctors.

Important! In most cases, doctors suggest hospitalization - you should not refuse it: only in a hospital setting is it possible to provide round-the-clock qualified monitoring of the development of the disease.

Prevention of false croup

False croup is a disease of young children. This condition can occur in one child more than once, as a relapse during one illness or during the next illness.

And in adults and children over 6 years of age, croup is extremely rare, as is the case in infants under one year of age. To the younger one school age the danger of a severe development of events is very unlikely - the experience of overcoming various childhood illnesses takes its toll.

Since false croup in children occurs during infectious diseases, it is obvious that it is necessary to ensure that the child gets sick less. However, this does not mean that isolation is necessary to prevent infection. In children, whose immunity is rarely associated with infection, the body's reaction to accidental contact with a pathogen, even the most trivial one, may be excessive. And this is a direct road to the croup.

The most important thing is hardening the body. It is necessary to ensure that the temperature change environment, wind or draft did not become a problem or cause of infection. From the first days of life, children need to breathe clean air, walk a lot every day, be active. Warm and dry air irritates the respiratory tract more than frosty air. Nutritious food will ensure proper metabolism and development appropriate for age.

Contacts with peers will teach immune system respond correctly to germs and viruses, most of which will not harm the child. These measures, of course, do not guarantee that the child will avoid croup, but it will be easier for the body (and parents) to cope with it.

Remember what to put correct diagnosis Only a doctor can, do not self-medicate without consultation and diagnosis by a qualified doctor. Be healthy!

Stenosing laryngitis (false croup) often develops as a complication viral disease, affecting the organs of the nasopharynx. As a result of the resulting inflammation, swelling appears and a significant increase in the amount of secretion produced. During the course of the disease, there is a significant narrowing of the lumen in the larynx (stenosis), which can lead to difficulty breathing and even suffocation. If false croup is diagnosed, treatment should be comprehensive and based not only on the use of medications, but also on ensuring optimal climatic conditions in the room, balanced diet, sufficient fluid intake.

Reasons

Stenosing laryngitis occurs mainly in children between six months and six years of age. The main reason False croup is considered to be a characteristic of a child in the first years of life. Due to the extremely small opening in a child's larynx, even slight swelling can cause breathing difficulties.

The structure of the larynx creates favorable conditions for the development of stenosis before the age of six years:

• elastic cartilaginous skeleton;
• narrow and short vestibule of the pharynx;
• high vocal cords;
• large number cellular elements and blood vessels on the mucous membrane of the pharynx.

Important! How younger age a child suffering from false croup, especially serious consequences may cause illness.

Children with a predisposition to allergies, decreased immunity, and increased emotional excitability are at risk for the development of stenosis. It is also known that boys get croup more often than girls. After the age of six, croup is extremely rare, this is explained by a significant increase in the lumen in the larynx, which becomes wider, so swelling with laryngitis is no longer life-threatening.

False most often appears as a complication as a result of exposure to an infectious disease on the body, often caused by a virus (parainfluenza, influenza, herpes). Much less often, stenosing laryngitis occurs when the body is exposed to bacteria (Haemophilus influenzae, staphylococcus). False croup of a bacterial nature is more complicated.

There are several reasons for the development of edema in stenotic laryngitis:

• a significant reduction in the opening in the larynx due to swelling;
• involuntary spasm of the laryngeal muscles, which significantly aggravates the manifestation of stenosis;
• increased production of viscous secretion due to excessive active work glands of the nasopharynx, which causes obstruction of the reduced lumen of the larynx.

Warm and very dry air, poor nutrition, insufficient fluid intake - all this can cause stenosis against the background of an existing infection.

Symptoms

Signs of stenosing laryngitis often develop on the second or third day from the onset of the underlying disease. Doctors identify certain symptoms that indicate that a child is developing false croup:

• barking, dry, annoying cough;
• burning and sore throat;
• rapid, noisy breathing, accompanied by shortness of breath.

These symptoms occur against the background of hyperthermia (body temperature is often above 38 degrees), overexcitation, and increase in size cervical lymph nodes, wheezing, audible when inhaling.

Important! Symptoms of false croup can change during the day; the patient’s condition often worsens during night sleep, which is when attacks of suffocation occur.

Exacerbation of croup symptoms during night sleep is associated with several factors:

• significant increase in parasympathetic tone nervous system at night, which increases secretion and contractile activity tracheal muscles;
• horizontal position during sleep, which significantly impairs the drainage functions of the lungs.

Experts identify several stages of the development of the disease, each of which corresponds to certain symptoms.

1. First stage - initial stage development of stenosis. The disease is accompanied by difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, which manifests itself solely as a result of physical activity. When examined by a doctor, increased inhalation and dry wheezing may be heard.
2. The second stage of the disease is characterized by the appearance of shortness of breath even in the absence of physical activity. Breathing becomes difficult, inhalation is accompanied by confluence of intercostal spaces. Oxygen deficiency increases, the condition is accompanied by pallor of the skin, cyanosis of the nasolabial triangle. At this stage, excitement increases significantly, the child cannot fall asleep.
3. The third stage requires urgent assistance from specialists. The shortness of breath becomes stronger, the cough becomes more painful. The body’s compensatory functions are not enough, the stenosis worsens, the cyanosis spreads throughout skin. The pulse quickens, the child becomes lethargic.
4. The fourth stage of disease development carries real threat life due to asphyxia. At this stage, cough and difficulty breathing, characteristic of stenosing laryngitis, practically disappear, breathing becomes shallow, and arrhythmia occurs. Vital Signs(pressure and heart rate) decrease, the condition may be accompanied by seizures.

Treatment

Treatment of false croup in children should primarily be aimed at preventing and quickly relieving attacks of stenosis, as well as reducing inflammation and swelling.

To prevent attacks of croup, you must:

Often false croup is accompanied by a dry, irritating cough. In this case, you can use antitussive drugs (Sinekod, Codelac). However, the use of these drugs should be done only after consultation with a doctor, and only in situations where false croup is not accompanied by the formation of a large amount of viscous secretion. If false croup produces a large amount of secretion, it is advisable to use expectorants and mucolytics (Lazolvan, Erespal).

Complex treatment of stenosis in children should include the use of antiallergic drugs to reduce tissue swelling, for example, Diazolin, Suprastin, Loratadine.

On late stages development of the croup, it is advisable to use:

• For quick removal for swelling, glucocorticoid drugs (Dexamethasone, Prednisolone) are recommended;
• sedatives to relieve laryngeal spasm, reduce muscle tone (Novo-Passit, Barboval, Valerian);
• anti-inflammatory drugs that reduce swelling and normalize body temperature (Ibuprofen);

Important! IN complex treatment inflammatory processes occurring in children, the use of an anti-inflammatory drug such as Aspirin is contraindicated due to the risk of developing Reye's syndrome.

• at viral nature false croup, used in complex treatment antiviral drugs(Groprinosin, Arbidol);
• if false croup is bacterial in nature, treatment is carried out using antibacterial therapy(Sumamed, Augmentin).

The use of diuretics helps remove excess liquid from the body, which helps reduce the severity of edema. For this purpose, special diuretic drugs are used, for example, Arifon, Lasix, Diuver.

Often attacks of croup are accompanied by a reflex spasm of the laryngeal muscles. In order to reduce the symptom, it is necessary to induce the opposite reflex, for example, induce vomiting by pressing on the tongue, or try to induce sneezing by tickling the nose.

Hot foot baths are used as a distracting non-drug procedure. In this case, blood flows to the extremities, reducing swelling. Warming the chest and larynx area using warm compresses, will help reduce muscle tone and relax muscles.

Inhalations are an effective way to reduce the severity of stenosis. For false croup, inhalations using alkaline solutions, for example, Borjomi, Polyana Kvasova. You can prepare such a solution yourself, at the rate of one teaspoon of baking soda per liter of warm boiled water.

First aid

Along with drug treatment, it is important to know the basic principles and methods of providing first aid to a patient with stenosing laryngitis, because without timely measures the disease will develop and may cause fatal outcome. Therefore, a common viral infection in a child is accompanied by shortness of breath and other symptoms characteristic of stenosing laryngitis, you should:

• call a doctor;
• raise top part the patient’s torso, placing an additional pillow;
• try to calm the patient, as anxiety can only aggravate the signs of laryngeal spasm;
• ensure a flow of fresh air (open the window), ease breathing (remove tight clothes);
• be sure to comply with the optimal climatic conditions indoors: humidity not lower than 50% (with cereals about 70%), temperature not higher than 18-20 degrees;
• Give your child plenty of warm liquid, preferably just water or herbal decoction(chamomile, sage), excluding juices, carbonated drinks;
• can be used before the ambulance arrives antihistamines, described above, antispasmodics (Drotaverine, Papaverine).

Further therapy should be carried out exclusively in conditions medical institution and be carried out under the supervision of a specialist.

Important! In later stages of stenosis development, it may be necessary to surgery: intubation (insertion of a special tube into the trachea) or tracheostomy (insertion of a cannula into the trachea or suturing the trachea wall to the skin).

Inhalations

Inhalations are simple and in an effective way providing first aid and treatment for stenosing laryngitis in children and adults.

1. The most in a simple way nebulizer inhalation is the use of alkaline mineral waters. 2-4 ml of liquid is poured into the device, the procedure is carried out for ten minutes, repeated three to five times throughout the day. If required device no, then soda can be dissolved in warm water and let the child breathe alkaline air.
2. Inhalation with a nebulizer with a solution of Berodual, Eufillin or Salbutamol is also indicated for the development of stenosis. In this case, the drug is diluted in an age-appropriate concentration with 2 ml of saline, inhalations are carried out 2-3 times a day as prescribed by the doctor.
3. The use of hormonal antiallergic drugs through inhalation also has more high efficiency compared to oral. For stenosing laryngitis, the use of Dexamethasone, Pulmicort, Cromohexal is indicated.

Prevention

In order to reduce the likelihood of stenosing laryngitis in a child, it is important to prevent the occurrence respiratory diseases and treat on time sharp forms diseases.

1. Hardening of the throat. This simple procedure which needs to be done regularly. The child should gargle with water, using water at room temperature first. Gradually, over several months, the water temperature should decrease, reaching about five degrees. The main thing is not to rush, lowering the temperature by one or two degrees per week, because otherwise the child may get sick.
2. Proper nutrition. Daily diet The child’s diet should be balanced and rich in vitamins and microelements that help in developing immunity and resisting viral infections. It should also be noted that false croup is often caused by allergic reactions to certain foods.
3. Compliance with the work and rest regime. Full sleep especially important in childhood, as it helps the body restore strength and resist the development of infections.
4. To reduce the likelihood of developing stenosing laryngitis that occurs against the background viral infections, it is necessary to monitor the cleanliness, temperature and humidity of the air in the apartment where the child lives. Thus, dusty, too warm and dry air can cause the nasopharyngeal mucosa to dry out and develop complications.

The disease of croup in children is acute stenosing laryngotracheitis. The disease is quite serious, as it is accompanied by attacks of suffocation. Therefore it requires special attention and immediate assistance. Let's look at the causes and types of croup, symptoms and treatment methods.

Children are most susceptible this disease due to the existing structural features of the respiratory tract. How smaller child, the more complex the disease progresses.

Croup in children: symptoms and treatment

As a rule, the disease manifests itself at night in the form of a sudden barking cough. Against this background, there is a deterioration of the voice or its complete disappearance, bluish discoloration of the circumlabial folds, increased heart rate and breathing. Let's look at what other signs we can use to determine the nature of false croup.

False croup in children, symptoms

The main signs of the disease are:

• severe dry cough;
• cyanosis of the triangle around the nose, as well as the tips of the fingers;
• inhibition of actions;
• in the presence of infectious diseases, body temperature may increase;
• pale skin;
• dark circles under the eyes;
• loss of consciousness.

When parents first encounter symptoms of croup, they begin to panic. This prevents you from acting quickly and correctly.
We dealt with the question “false croup, what is it.” Now let's move on to the next and main thing - methods of combating the disease.

False croup in children, treatment

First, let's decide what we will do if sudden attack cough. If your baby has false croup, first aid is provided as follows:

• be calm and do not frighten the child with your fear;
• as soon as an attack of suffocation begins, immediately call an ambulance;
• take a bath hot water and pour it into it baking soda. Place your baby next to the bathtub and let him breathe over it. At the same time, give him warm baths for his hands and feet;
• give the baby something to drink warm milk with the addition of soda on the tip of a knife. If you have alkaline at home mineral water- give it warm;
• After all the thermal procedures, press the baby with a spoon on the root of the tongue. This will help release any accumulated phlegm. If vomiting occurs from this manipulation, it’s okay.

After getting rid of a coughing attack, consulting a doctor remains necessary. He must examine the child, identify the cause of the disease and prescribe appropriate treatment.
Treatment of false croup in children depends on the severity of the stenosis. It can be carried out both at home and in a clinic. If a specialist insists on hospitalization, do not argue with him.
This disease occurs in waves, and attacks of suffocation can occur suddenly and unexpectedly. There are times when it is necessary to incubate the trachea, and it is good if a specialist is nearby at this moment. If it leaks in mild degree false croup, treatment at home is supported by the doctor with antiallergic drugs that help relieve swelling of the larynx (suprastin, diazolin, etc.), drugs for relieving muscle spasms (papaverine, no-shpa), drugs for removing phlegm and sedatives.

Croup is most dangerous for children with allergies. Therefore, before taking any medications, be sure to consult your doctor.

If the baby is susceptible to allergic reactions, do not use mustard plasters and rubbing, honey, raspberry jam, citrus fruits, as well as herbal preparations.