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[The role of the bacterial inflammation in subglottic laryngitis in children]

Beata Zielnik-Jurkiewicz1

  • 1Oddział Otolaryngologiczny Szpitala Dzieciecego SZPZOZ w Warszawie.

Polski Merkuriusz Lekarski : Organ Polskiego Towarzystwa Lekarskiego
|September 20, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Bacterial factors significantly impact subglottic laryngitis in children, with over 56% of cases showing bacterial symptoms. Non-atopic children exhibited higher NBT test results, suggesting a stronger bacterial influence in this group.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Otolaryngology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Subglottic laryngitis is an acute pediatric airway inflammation caused by subglottic edema, accounting for 5-8% of severe airway inflammations.
  • The etiopathogenesis of subglottic laryngitis, particularly the role of bacterial factors, remains a subject of ongoing scientific discussion.
  • This study investigates the influence of bacteriological factors on subglottic laryngitis occurrence in children.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess the impact of selected bacteriological factors on the incidence of subglottic laryngitis in pediatric patients.
  • To compare the prevalence of bacterial symptoms and related inflammatory markers between atopic and non-atopic children with subglottic laryngitis.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 72 children hospitalized with subglottic laryngitis symptoms (barking cough, stridor, dyspnea) was studied.
  • Patients were categorized into two groups: 41 with atopy and 31 without.
  • Examinations included clinical assessments (pediatric, laryngological), blood cell count, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), and specialized bacteriological tests, including the Nitroblue Tetrazolium (NBT) test.

Main Results:

  • Bacterial symptoms were present in 56.95% of the 72 children diagnosed with subglottic laryngitis.
  • The NBT test, indicating bacterial activity, was significantly higher in non-atopic children (90.32%) compared to atopic children (39.02%).
  • Concurrent upper airway inflammation (otitis media, rhinitis, pharyngitis) was observed in 50.51% of patients, and lower respiratory tract inflammation (bronchitis, pneumonitis) in 13.89%.

Conclusions:

  • Bacteriological factors play a significant role in the occurrence and potential etiopathogenesis of subglottic laryngitis in children.
  • Non-atopic children with subglottic laryngitis demonstrate a more pronounced response to bacterial infections, as indicated by higher NBT test results.
  • The findings support the hypothesis that bacterial presence and the body's reaction to infection are key contributors to subglottic laryngitis development.

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