Croup, also known as laryngotracheobronchitis, is a common respiratory disease of childhood (usually aged 6m to 3 yrs), characterised by the sudden onset of a seal-like barky cough, often accompanied by stridor, voice hoarseness, and respiratory distress.

• Peak season - late autumn
• More common in males

The symptoms are a result of upper-airway obstruction due to generalised inflammation of the airways, as a result of viral infection (typically parainfluenza virus types 1 or 3).

Common causative organisms:

• Parainfluenza
• Influenza
• Adenovirus
• Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

PC

• Key feature - Distinctive seal-like barky cough
• inspiratory stridor
• Abrupt onset of Sx
• Sx increasing with agitation
• Non specific prodromal Sx - Coryza, fever, cough for 12-48 hours
• Sx worse at night
• Hoarse voice