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Paediatric airway emergencies in Northern Ireland, 1990-2003

B Devlin1, K Golchin, R Adair

  • 1Otolaryngology Department, Ulster Hospital, Belfast, Northern Ireland. barrydevlin@ntlworld.com

The Journal of Laryngology and Otology
|March 3, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Paediatric airway emergencies like croup and epiglottitis have shifted, with bacterial tracheitis becoming the most common PICU admission. Accurate diagnosis remains critical for effective management of these evolving conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Otolaryngology
  • Pediatric Critical Care

Background:

  • Paediatric airway emergencies, including croup, acute epiglottitis, and bacterial tracheitis, require distinct management strategies.
  • Accurate diagnosis is paramount for effective treatment of these critical conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze trends in paediatric airway emergency admissions to a Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) over a 14-year period.
  • To identify shifts in the incidence of common paediatric airway emergencies.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of all acute airway admissions to the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children's PICU.
  • Data collected from 1990 to 2003.

Main Results:

  • Admissions for croup showed a gradual decrease.
  • Acute epiglottitis admissions declined after 1992 but resurged in 2000-2002.
  • Bacterial tracheitis emerged as the most frequent emergency, with a steady incidence increase from 1990 to 2003.

Conclusions:

  • There has been a significant shift in the types of paediatric airway emergencies requiring PICU admission.
  • Bacterial tracheitis is now the leading cause of PICU admission for paediatric airway emergencies.
  • Continued vigilance and accurate diagnosis are essential for managing paediatric airway emergencies.

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