Acute laryngitis in children: symptoms and treatment

The glottis is shrinking in size, and the air that passes through it creates a strong oscillation of the vocal cords, causing a barking cough, hoarseness of voice, and difficulty breathing. Cough appears in most cases, but it is not always pronounced.

Parents often complain about their child's hoarse breathing. Indeed, when listening to the lungs of children with laryngitis, you can hear wheezing, and you can even feel it if you put your hand to the child's chest.

Children become restless at this time, and the more nervous they become, the more frequent and difficult breathing becomes. The respiratory rate increases and can reach 40 respiratory movements per minute. Breathing becomes shallow and ineffective. The child develops cyanosis (blueness) of the skin around the mouth and develops laryngeal stenosis.

Body temperature rises very often, in some cases up to 39 ° C.

Causes of the disease

• Viral and bacterial infections.

• Allergies of the upper respiratory tract, including allergic inflammation of the vocal folds. There are also mixed factors when the causes of the disease are allergens and infectious agents. In such cases, the disease is more severe.

• Gastroesophageal reflux. Throwing acidic medium from the intestine into the esophagus burns the larynx and leads to swelling of the mucous membrane, which in turn provokes gratuitous hoarseness of the voice. 

• Overexertion or injury of the vocal cords.  

Diagnosis of acute laryngitis

The doctor conducts an examination, medical history collection, and physical examinations. The difficulty of examining a small patient is that without special equipment, it is impossible to examine the larynx of a baby under the age of five. Up to 5-6 years old, in some cases, the examination is carried out with a flexible fibroscope through the nose. Depending on the psychoemotional state of the child, if necessary, the study may be conducted in a state of drug-induced sleep.

If there is a suspicion of involvement of the lower respiratory tract in the process, an X-ray examination is performed.

For children aged 7-8 years, for a more detailed examination of the larynx and an understanding of the functional features, the examination is sometimes performed with a video pharyngostroboscope under local anesthesia.

The choice of treatment tactics depends on the patient's age, the results of a clinical examination, and the severity and duration of the disease.

Treatment of acute laryngitis

Humidified and fresh air should be provided in the room where the child stays for a long time. Inhalation and copious drinking are recommended (in the absence of throat swelling). Ultrasound is preferred (for children under 3 years of age) or compressor inhalers.

In infants, an exacerbation of laryngitis is dangerous, so it is necessary to immediately call an ambulance doctor!

It is important to reduce nervous excitement and calm the child, it is recommended to talk less and not speak in a whisper. This causes additional ligament strain.

If the disease is allergic, antihistamine therapy is recommended.

Expectorants and mucolytics may be prescribed for a wet cough. Antitussive agents are indicated for severe, dry, persistent cough. They suppress the cough reflex at the brain level. These medications are taken under strict medical supervision. Independent treatment of laryngitis in children is not recommended.

Laryngeal stenosis causes difficulty breathing, swelling of the oropharyngeal mucosa, and the general well-being of the baby worsens. In such cases, it is necessary to call an ambulance immediately.

The EMC uses modern methods of diagnosis and treatment of the urgent condition of young patients, as well as routine additional examination for prolonged and prolonged laryngitis. A whole team of specialists works for this purpose: pediatricians, otorhinolaryngologists, a phoniatrist, a gastroenterologist, an allergist, a neurologist, and a radiologist. Ambulances travel to the homes of young patients 24 hours a day, 7 days a week (coverage is Moscow and the Moscow region within 50 km of the MKAD).