[Acute laryngitis in children]

Acute laryngitis is the most common form of upper airway obstruction in young children. Laryngeal obstruction requiring hospitalization and sometimes intubation may be due to viral infection or occasionally to allergic reaction. The natural course of the disease is impossible to predict; therefore, repeated clinical assessments are needed. Continuous worsening of dyspnea may suggest a diagnosis of bacterial tracheitis. High doses of corticosteroids combined with aerosolized racemic epinephrine can relieve the respiratory difficulties.