Condition Lookup
Sub-Category:
Respiratory Conditions
Number of Conditions: 2
Bronchiolitis
Specialty: Emergency and Urgent Care
Category: Pediatric Emergencies
Sub-category: Respiratory Conditions
Symptoms:
runny nose; cough; wheezing; rapid breathing; retractions (chest wall pulling in); poor feeding; fever
Root Cause:
Inflammation and mucus build-up in the small airways (bronchioles), most commonly caused by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical evaluation of symptoms; nasal swab tests for RSV may be used; chest X-rays only for severe cases.
Treatment:
Supportive care, including hydration, oxygen supplementation if needed, and suctioning of nasal secretions.
Medications:
No routine medications; bronchodilators or nebulized hypertonic saline may be used in selected cases.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects 20–30% of infants under 1 year old, with higher rates during winter and spring.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Premature birth, age under 6 months, exposure to cigarette smoke, crowded living conditions, daycare attendance.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Most recover with supportive care; severe cases may require hospitalization and oxygen therapy. Rarely leads to long-term respiratory issues.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Respiratory distress, hypoxia, dehydration, and secondary bacterial infections such as pneumonia.
Croup
Specialty: Emergency and Urgent Care
Category: Pediatric Emergencies
Sub-category: Respiratory Conditions
Symptoms:
barking cough; hoarseness; stridor (high-pitched wheezing); difficulty breathing; fever; nasal congestion
Root Cause:
Swelling and inflammation of the upper airway, typically caused by viral infections such as parainfluenza virus.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Clinical evaluation based on characteristic symptoms and physical examination; imaging or additional tests are rarely needed.
Treatment:
Supportive care (hydration, humidified air), corticosteroids to reduce airway inflammation, and nebulized epinephrine for severe cases.
Medications:
Dexamethasone or prednisone (corticosteroids) to reduce inflammation; nebulized epinephrine (adrenergic agonist) for acute airway swelling.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common in children aged 6 months to 3 years, particularly during fall and winter months.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Young age, exposure to viral infections, attending daycare, family history of respiratory conditions.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Most cases resolve with supportive care; severe cases respond well to medical treatment. Rarely requires hospitalization.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Severe airway obstruction, hypoxia, bacterial superinfection, and, in rare cases, respiratory failure.