Correlating the clinical course of recurrent croup with endoscopic findings: a retrospective observational study.
OBJECTIVES: We sought to correlate endoscopic findings with the clinical course of recurrent croup.
METHODS: Children were classified as having recurrent croup if they had had 2 or more episodes of barky cough, inspiratory stridor, and hoarseness. All study participants underwent direct laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy and were started on an antireflux regimen. A telephone questionnaire assessed the child's symptoms and treatment response.
RESULTS: Forty-seven children with recurrent croup were seen in our otolaryngology outpatient clinic. Demographics included a male-to-female ratio of 1.6 to 1 and an age range of 1 month to 11 years (median, 20 months). Thirty patients (63.8%) had a medical history of asthma, and 10 (21.3%) came with a prior diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux. Gastroesophageal reflux-related laryngopharyngeal changes were seen during direct laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy in 87.2%. Of those with survey follow-up, 87.5% had improvement of respiratory symptoms after a 6- to 9-month course of antireflux medications. This finding was further reflected in a decreased number and duration of episodes (p < .0001).
CONCLUSIONS: The underlying narrowing process of recurrent croup can be attributed to gastroesophageal reflux and should be considered in any child with persistent barky cough, inspiratory stridor, and hoarseness. To confirm the diagnosis, diagnostic methods should be correlated with symptom progression after treatment initiation.
METHODS: Children were classified as having recurrent croup if they had had 2 or more episodes of barky cough, inspiratory stridor, and hoarseness. All study participants underwent direct laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy and were started on an antireflux regimen. A telephone questionnaire assessed the child's symptoms and treatment response.
RESULTS: Forty-seven children with recurrent croup were seen in our otolaryngology outpatient clinic. Demographics included a male-to-female ratio of 1.6 to 1 and an age range of 1 month to 11 years (median, 20 months). Thirty patients (63.8%) had a medical history of asthma, and 10 (21.3%) came with a prior diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux. Gastroesophageal reflux-related laryngopharyngeal changes were seen during direct laryngoscopy and bronchoscopy in 87.2%. Of those with survey follow-up, 87.5% had improvement of respiratory symptoms after a 6- to 9-month course of antireflux medications. This finding was further reflected in a decreased number and duration of episodes (p < .0001).
CONCLUSIONS: The underlying narrowing process of recurrent croup can be attributed to gastroesophageal reflux and should be considered in any child with persistent barky cough, inspiratory stridor, and hoarseness. To confirm the diagnosis, diagnostic methods should be correlated with symptom progression after treatment initiation.
Full text links
Trending Papers
Evidence-Based Guideline for the diagnosis and management of eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis.Nature Reviews. Rheumatology 2023 May 10
A Systematic Approach to Understanding Acid-Base Disorders in the Critically Ill.Annals of Pharmacotherapy 2023 April 27
Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university
For the best experience, use the Read mobile app
Read by QxMD is copyright © 2021 QxMD Software Inc. All rights reserved. By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.
Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university
For the best experience, use the Read mobile app