[Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest in children with bacterial tracheitis]

Abstract

Bacterial tracheitis is a severe cause of acute infectious upper-airway obstruction. Its characteristics include thick purulent secretions with or without plaques or pseudomembrane formation. Fatal complications are infrequent if an appropriate treatment is conducted.

Case report: We report on 2 cases of bacterial tracheitis revealed by out-of-hospital cardiac arrest. At presentation in winter, both children first had the symptoms of viral croup. However, no response to the appropriate therapy for this disease was observed. A cardiac arrest occurred on the second day. Bronchoscopy allowed diagnosis. Findings on initial examination were erythema, edema and purulent secretions. Bacterial cultures of tracheal secretions were positive with Staphylococcus aureus. Serology with influenza A virus was also positive. Despite antibiotics and mechanical ventilation, both children died in the pediatric intensive care unit, consecutively to irreversible ischemic brain injury.

Conclusion: Bacterial tracheitis remains a life-threatening upper-airway infection. Prompt recognition and accurate diagnosis could lead to decreased mortality. It is essential to reassess any croup whose outcome is not rapidly favourable. Such patients should be monitored in a pediatric intensive care unit.