Poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis presenting as impending airway obstruction

The presence of poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis in the pediatric patient remains a diagnostic challenge to the emergency physician. The variability of both patient presentation and laboratory parameters often obscures the diagnosis. We describe a child who presented to the emergency department with subglottic edema and the possibility of impending airway compromise. The child was admitted to the hospital under close observation, and several days later, the diagnosis of poststreptococcal glomerulonephritis was made.