[Laryngitis in childhood]

Abstract

The most common causative agents of laryngitis are parainfluenza viruses. The diagnosis of laryngitis in children is a clinical one, typical symptoms including dry, often barking cough and inspiratory difficulty and wheezing. Typical age of occurrence is 0.5 to 3 years. In children under one year of age the structural and functional anomalies causing symptoms resembling laryngitis in connection with an infection should not be disregarded. Most patients can be nursed at home. An orally administered glucocorticoid and inhaled racemic adrenalin are effective drugs in emergency service.