Croup
Also: Stridor
For the safety of your family, this information is intended for use by North Seattle Pediatrics patients exclusively.
Croup is a viral respiratory infection that in young children can cause a barking, hoarse cough. Sometimes, especially during the night, the child will have a harsh sound when breathing in called stridor which is associated with difficulty breathing. This is caused by swelling of the tissue that lines the wind pipe at the level of the vocal cords. Stridor and difficulty breathing can often be relieved quickly by wrapping the child in a blanket and taking the child outside to breathe in cool air.
- If your child is having severe difficulty breathing even outside, call 911.
- If your child still has trouble breathing or significant stridor after being outside for 10 -15 minutes your child may need steroid or other treatment and should go to the closest emergency room. If your child’s stridor resolved outside, keep the air cool and moist with a humidifier or an open window and call our office in the morning at 206-368-6080.
Call now at 206-368-6080 if your child:
- is still having difficulty breathing after breathing cool outside air for 10-15 minutes
Call during office hours if your child:
- had stridor that resolved with cool air.
- we may need to give your child medication to help prevent a recurrence the following night.
