Laryngitis is a swelling of the mucous membrane of the larynx, which can be triggered by overexertion, overheating or hypothermia, infection. The disease is most often diagnosed in children, which is due to differences in the structure of the respiratory tract of children and adults. Next, consider the symptoms and treatment of laryngitis in children. Babies must be shown to a doctor, self-medication is unacceptable, all therapeutic measures must be carried out in a hospital.
Main reasons
Laryngitis in infants and older children is most often caused by viral infections. According to the well-known pediatrician and TV presenter, Dr. Komarovsky, in 99.9% of cases, the source of the disease is a viral pathogen. Laryngitis is accompanied by influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, adenovirus, paracripposis virus. All these diseases have similar causes and symptoms. Treatmentlaryngitis in infants is usually carried out in a hospital if the disease occurs for the first time or is severe, with complications. In other cases, home treatment is possible.
The highest incidence occurs between the ages of six months and two years. At this age, the disease is diagnosed in a third of children with acute respiratory disease. The reasons are the imperfection of the respiratory system of babies, inability to harmful external factors and infections. The provoking factors are the inhalation of dusty air, weak immunity, a sudden change in climate, trauma to the mucous membrane of the larynx, an allergic reaction, hypothermia, passive smoking, genetically narrow airways, difficult childbirth or birth trauma.
Forms of laryngitis
The disease is classified according to the form of the course. The catarrhal form is the simplest and most common. Symptoms appear that are characteristic of most infectious diseases in children, namely dry cough, hoarseness and a slight increase in temperature. In this form, laryngitis also requires qualified medical care, as the consequences may be a temporary loss of voice and the development of respiratory failure.
Stenonizing form is accompanied by a decrease in the lumen of the larynx. Most often, the disease in this case causes breathing problems. The help of a qualified pediatrician is required. The hypertrophic form of laryngitis develops andindependently, and as a complication of catarrhal. It is characterized by a probable loss of voice and a strong change in its timbre, hoarseness. Atrophic laryngitis is more often diagnosed in adults. It differs from other forms in the thinning of the mucous membrane of the larynx.
Hemorrhagic laryngitis develops with individual pathologies of the hematopoietic organs or toxic influenza. First, a dry cough appears, when it turns into a wet one, clots or streaks of blood are found in the sputum. The diphtheria form develops clearly from the tonsils to the larynx. Visually, a white coating is observed on the mucous membranes, which, exfoliating, can cause blockage of the respiratory tract. According to the symptoms, the disease in this case resembles streptococcal infections. Phlegmous (purulent) form is rare. It develops from catarrhal and is characterized by a significant increase in all symptoms.
Onset of illness
Most often, symptoms of laryngitis in infants appear in the off-season. Recommendations to parents on prevention are based on strengthening the child's immunity during this period. The development of respiratory infections, against which the disease occurs, is facilitated by fluctuations in humidity and temperature changes. Viruses are also activated during the warm season, namely at the beginning of spring and autumn. In winter, children get sick less often. Symptoms of laryngitis in infants appear very rapidly. Treatment and forms of the disease will be discussed further in more detail. In the acute period, the disease can reach the fourth degree of severity.
First stage
Lung symptomslaryngitis is usually mild. In this case, the disease manifests itself only during periods of anxiety or physical activity. Breathing quickens, becomes noisy, shortness of breath occurs on inspiration. Due to shortness of breath, there is no excess carbon dioxide in the blood, so that the body can independently maintain a normal blood composition. This condition in children lasts up to two days.
Second degree
In the future, the symptoms of laryngitis in infants increase. Treatment, started in a timely manner, will help to quickly stop the disease. Breathing in the second stage becomes noisy, shortness of breath occurs even at rest, and becomes constant on inspiration. The work of the respiratory muscles becomes more frequent, which compensates for the lack of oxygen. There may be soft tissue retraction in the chest area, which increases with tension.
Children are restless, sleep poorly and may refuse to eat. The skin becomes pale, and the area around the mouth becomes bluish. The heartbeat quickens. This stage lasts up to three to five days. Laryngitis is manifested by attacks or is present constantly. Treatment at this stage is already being carried out in a hospital setting.
Third stage
As is already clear, the symptoms of the disease and the severity are interconnected. Signs of laryngitis in infants at this stage are already clearly expressed. The child's breathing quickens, the work of the respiratory system intensifies, breathing becomes irregular, metabolism is disturbed, and blood circulation worsens. The child's condition is getting worse. The baby either becomes drowsy and inhibited, or behaves restlessly and irritably. The voice becomes quiet and hoarse.
Shortness of breath is present not only on inhalation, but also on exhalation. Cough at first louder than usual, but gradually becomes superficial. Breathing often changes to shallow, can be noisy and irregular. The abdomen is pulled in sharply. Symptoms of accumulation of carbon dioxide in the body become pronounced. When listening, you can hear rough noises, after which breathing is weakened. Blood pressure may drop, the heart tone becomes muffled and quickens. The treatment is carried out in the hospital.
Last stage stenosis
Symptoms and treatment of laryngitis in infants are interrelated. At the last stage, the disease is very dangerous, and the child's condition is assessed as very serious. Convulsions may occur, the temperature may drop, and even coma may develop. Breathing is quickened, its absence may be observed, the heart rate slows down. At this stage, the composition of the blood changes to critical levels. Stenosis of the last stage can be supplemented by serious intoxication and complications. Be sure to call an ambulance, even if the child does not seem very sick.
Diagnosis of laryngitis
Diagnosis is usually not a problem, as with laryngitis the larynx swells, and tests show a complete picture of the disease. When the first symptoms appear, it is necessary to call a doctor at home. An accurate diagnosis of a baby can only be made by a qualified specialist based on laboratory tests. The main diagnostic methods arehistory, physical examination, auscultation of the lungs, if necessary, sputum and blood tests.
The doctor performs a visual examination with an endoscope. In this case, it is possible to detect a narrowing of the lumen of the larynx, the presence of edema and redness, purulent or mucous plaque. A swab is taken from the mucous membrane of the larynx to determine the causative agent of the disease. A complete blood count helps to identify the viral or bacterial origin of laryngitis. During a general examination of the baby, the doctor will note changes in the size of the lymph nodes and the presence of pain in the larynx. Based on the information received, it is possible to make a final diagnosis and determine the tactics of therapy.
Possible Complications
The most dangerous complication of laryngitis in young children is the development of stenosis, that is, the last stage of the disease. Dangerous consequences are also pneumonia, tracheitis, bronchitis, tonsillitis, sepsis, atrophy of the larynx, the development of benign tumors, purulent phlegmon of the neck, or the transition of the disease to a chronic form. Possible complications are very dangerous, therefore, with laryngitis in infants, treatment (adequate and timely) is very important.
Child First Aid
Treatment of laryngitis in infants should be started with first aid during an attack. Due to the small diameter of the larynx and the peculiarities of its location in young children, the disease can provoke asthma attacks. In case of sudden difficulty in breathing, first aid must be provided. The child is stripped from the waist down and thenfixed in a vertical position. You can put a pillow under the head so that the baby is half-sitting.
You need to open the window so that there is enough fresh air in the room. You can humidify the air using a special device or using the grandmother's method - hang wet towels on heating radiators. You can take a bath of hot water or turn on the shower, and then bring the baby into the room so that the child breathes in moist air. According to Dr. Komarovsky, the treatment of laryngitis in infants should be carried out only in a room with moist and cool air. The temperature in the room where the baby is constantly staying should be around 18-22 degrees.
The child should also be given alkaline mineral water or milk with baking soda to drink. You can drink dried fruit compote or warm water. For children over two years old, mustard plasters are applied to the calf muscles. If the temperature is not elevated, then you can make a hot foot bath. When the body temperature rises, the child is given an antipyretic. In case of respiratory arrest, induce vomiting by pressing a finger or a spoon on the tongue.
Very young children or those who are definitely allergic to something are advised to give an antihistamine right away. This can slightly improve the condition of the child and remove puffiness. All these actions are recommended to be carried out before the ambulance arrives. Attacks of the disease are repeated, so after the first one should not relax, because the second attack may be stronger.
Hospitalization for laryngitis
If laryngitis is diagnosed in a baby, doctors will determine how to help the baby. At home, parents can only alleviate the attack before the arrival of doctors, but the treatment of very young children (or if the disease has occurred for the first time) is carried out only in a hospital. In the acute form of the disease, doctors will quickly remove the swelling and make the necessary inhalations. The child may be given antibiotic therapy.
In severe cases, the hospital may intubate the trachea or do mechanical ventilation. This applies to severe swelling of the larynx. In such a situation, only a doctor can help. Without medical attention, the child may die. The baby will be put on a trachiosystem to restore breathing. The system consists of a tube inserted into an incision in the neck. When the condition returns to normal, the tube will be removed. Treatment of laryngitis in infants will continue to be carried out with medications.
Treatment of laryngitis
At home, treatment of laryngitis in infants is carried out only if the stage of the disease allows, and the child has already had seizures, so that parents are able to adequately conduct therapy. If inhalations are not contraindicated, then they should be done at home, but in some cases this will not be enough. Drug treatment of laryngitis in infants is carried out only according to the doctor's indications.
Usually prescribed antihistamines (especially in the allergic nature of the disease), antibiotics (if bacteria are detected in the tests), cough medicines (can not be used in the presence of sputum), expectorantsand mucolytics (for wet cough). Antibiotics are selected according to the age of the child. Hormone treatment may also be prescribed in the hospital.
In children under one year, acute laryngitis is especially dangerous. Be sure to call a doctor at home with difficulty breathing, fever and restless behavior of the baby. If an attack has begun, it is better to call an ambulance, and not wait for the arrival of the district pediatrician.
Laryngitis regimen
When treating at home, the child should be provided with bed rest and minimal tension on the vocal cords. It will not work to force the baby to be silent, but you need to try so that he speaks at least in a whisper. At the same time, the larynx is restored quite quickly, and the number of defects in the development of the vocal cords, which are just being formed, tends to zero. The room must be kept at the optimum temperature and humidity. It is necessary to regularly do wet cleaning and ventilate the room, if necessary, use a humidifier and reduce the intensity of heating devices. Nutrition should be such as not to irritate the throat. Drinking is shown as plentiful as possible. This will allow you to quickly pass the stage of dry cough and reduce the toxic effect on the body.
Chronic laryngitis
In the absence of adequate treatment or if the disease remains untreated, chronic laryngitis may develop. Problems with the throat or vocal cords develop slowly, the child constantly feels the needclear your throat. By the way, chronic laryngitis in adults is often an occupational disease, which is prone to those who speak a lot on duty, that is, singers, actors, teachers.
Prevention measures
How to protect the baby from laryngitis? To protect the child, you need to prevent him from drinking cold water, dress according to the weather and only in clothes made from natural fabrics, follow hygiene rules, avoid infections, regularly carry out wet cleaning in the house, maintain optimal temperature and humidity, harden, do not treat colds and other diseases on their own. You also need to periodically visit the local pediatrician for scheduled examinations.
