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Table 7 Main clinical characteristics of laryngotracheitis, epiglottitis, bacterial tracheitis and spasmodic croup

From: Management of acute respiratory diseases in the pediatric population: the role of oral corticosteroids

Feature

Laryngotracheitis

Epiglottitis

Bacterial tracheitis

Spasmodic croup

Viral prodromal illness

++

-

+

+

Mean age

6–36 months

3-4 years

4-5 years

6–36 months

Illness onset

Gradual

Acute

Acute

Sudden

Fever

+/-

+

+

-

Quality of stridor

Harsh

Mild

Harsh

Harsh

Drooling, neck hyperextension

-

++

+

-

Cough

++

-

++

++

Sore throat

+/-

++

+/-

-

Recurrence

+

-

-

++

Hospitalization and intubation

Rare

Frequent

Frequent

Rare

  1. From: Bell L: Middle respiratory tract infections. In: Pediatric Infectious Diseases: Principle and Practice. Edited by Jenson H, Baltimore R, 2nd edn. Philadelphia: Saunders; 2002: 772. [98]