Management of airway obstruction and stridor in pediatric patients

Ashley Marchese; Melissa L. Langhan

Management of airway obstruction and stridor in pediatric patients

Pediatr Emerg Med Pract. 2017 Nov;14(11):1-24.

Authors

Ashley Marchese¹, Melissa L. Langhan²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Pediatrics, Yale-New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT
² Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Emergency Medicine; Fellowship Director, Director of Education, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT

PMID: 29045097

Abstract

Stridor is a result of turbulent air-flow through the trachea from upper airway obstruction, and although in children it is often due to croup, it can also be caused by noninfectious and/or congenital conditions as well as life-threatening etiologies. The history and physical examination guide initial management, which includes reduction of airway inflammation, treatment of bacterial infection, and, less often, imaging, emergent airway stabilization, or surgical management. This issue discusses the most common as well as the life-threatening etiologies of acute and chronic stridor and its management in the emergency department.