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Infections of the airway

Ian A Jenkins1, Michael Saunders

  • 1Department of Anesthesiology & Intensive Care, Paediatric Intensive Care Unit, Royal Hospital for Children, Upper Maudlin Street, Bristol, UK. Ian.Jenkins@UHBristol.nhs.uk

Paediatric Anaesthesia
|July 4, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric airway infections require prompt recognition and management by anesthetists. This article details common and emerging airway infections in children, emphasizing diagnosis, complications, and treatment strategies for improved outcomes.

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.

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