Infections of the airway

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Anesthesiology
• Pediatric Emergency Medicine
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Airway infections in children pose critical challenges for anesthetists in emergency, operating, and intensive care settings.
• While some infections like epiglottitis and diphtheria are less common, they remain significant threats with unchanged clinical features.
• Emerging or re-emerging conditions like Lemierre's syndrome necessitate heightened clinical awareness for prompt diagnosis and management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide anesthetists with updated knowledge on pediatric airway infections.
• To outline the presentations, diagnoses, potential complications, and management strategies for these infections.
• To enhance the preparedness of anesthesia and surgical teams for managing pediatric airway emergencies.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature and clinical guidelines on pediatric airway infections.
• Analysis of common and less common infectious etiologies presenting to anesthetists.
• Synthesis of diagnostic criteria and evidence-based treatment recommendations.

Main Results:

• Key airway infections in children, including epiglottitis, diphtheria, and Lemierre's syndrome, are described.
• Potential complications associated with these infections are highlighted.
• Management strategies focusing on timely intervention and complication avoidance are recommended.

Conclusions:

• Up-to-date knowledge of pediatric airway infections is crucial for anesthetists to optimize patient care.
• Vigilance for both common and uncommon infections, alongside their complications, is essential.
• Effective management can improve surgical interventions and overall outcomes for children with airway infections.