Does acute laryngitis in children require hospitalization?

Written by Bai Yan Hui
Pediatrics
Updated on September 04, 2024
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Acute laryngitis in children is a common illness, and most cases do not require hospitalization. They can be managed in the outpatient clinic with oral medication and nebulization. However, if laryngeal obstruction occurs, especially at the second degree or higher, hospitalization is necessary. Laryngeal obstruction is considered a pediatric emergency, which can quickly worsen, leading to difficulty breathing. Some cases may even require intubation or a tracheotomy as emergency procedures. Delayed medical attention or hospitalization could potentially be life-threatening. Therefore, depending on the severity of the child's condition, hospitalization may be required.

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Written by Bai Yan Hui
Pediatrics
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Can children with acute laryngitis eat?

Simple acute laryngitis generally allows for eating, unless there are accompanying gastrointestinal symptoms such as repeated vomiting. Additionally, if the laryngitis causes especially severe symptoms of laryngeal obstruction that prevent the swallowing of food, it is advisable to temporarily withhold feeding and wait for the condition to improve before resuming feeding. Therefore, in cases of acute laryngitis without complications, eating is necessary, but it is recommended to stick to a light diet that is easier for children to digest, making it more comfortable for them.

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Written by Bai Yan Hui
Pediatrics
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How to treat acute laryngitis in children

If acute laryngitis in children is caused by a viral infection, it generally involves symptomatic treatment. If there is a fever with a temperature exceeding 38.5 degrees Celsius, or if the child appears unwell, antipyretic treatment can be administered. For persistent coughing, appropriate cough suppressants can be used for relief. Additionally, for hoarseness and throat discomfort, nebulized inhalation can be applied as symptomatic treatment. If there is a bacterial infection, antibiotics are certainly necessary to control the condition. If the acute laryngitis is caused by an injury, local symptomatic treatment can be applied to reduce the damage, followed by waiting for recovery.

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Written by Bai Yan Hui
Pediatrics
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What to do with acute laryngitis in children?

Acute laryngitis in children is considered a pediatric emergency, but the severity of laryngitis varies. Mild cases can be managed at home with symptomatic treatment, while severe cases should seek medical attention promptly. To distinguish whether to visit a hospital or manage at home, first observe the overall condition, including mental status, eating habits, and whether there is persistent or recurrent fever, cyanosis, or difficulty breathing. If these symptoms are present, visit the hospital promptly to receive symptomatic treatment and quickly address the inflammation of the larynx to alleviate the worsening of the disease.

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Written by Bai Yan Hui
Pediatrics
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Chances of rescuing children with acute laryngitis

Acute laryngitis in children is mostly caused by viral infections and is self-limiting. However, severe cases of laryngitis can progress to third or fourth degree laryngeal obstruction, which are serious conditions requiring urgent treatment, including intubation or tracheotomy, the use of strong antibiotics, and the application of corticosteroids. Generally speaking, unless it is particularly severe or treatment is sought very late, it is very difficult to administer emergency treatment. For the most part, acute laryngitis in children is relatively easy to control and recover from. Therefore, it is very important to seek medical attention early and receive timely and correct treatment to avoid missing the opportunity for emergency intervention, which could lead to lifelong regrets.

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Written by Bai Yan Hui
Pediatrics
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What causes acute laryngitis in children?

Pediatric acute laryngitis is generally considered to be an infection, with viral infections being most common, accounting for about 80% of cases. This includes respiratory syncytial virus, influenza virus, parainfluenza virus, and Coxsackievirus, all of which can cause acute laryngitis. Of course, there are also cases caused by bacterial infections, with gram-positive bacteria being more common. Additionally, special circumstances such as procedures, gastroscopy, bronchoscopy, etc., can cause laryngeal injuries, or the ingestion of irritant food items might also damage the laryngeal tissues, subsequently leading to symptoms of laryngitis.