Pediatric Bacterial Tracheitis-A Variable Entity: Case Series with Literature Review.

Area of Science:

• Pediatric infectious diseases
• Respiratory medicine
• Critical care medicine

Background:

• Bacterial tracheitis is a rare but serious upper airway infection in children.
• It can present with atypical symptoms, making early diagnosis challenging.
• Understanding its epidemiology and clinical course is vital for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the clinical presentation and treatment of bacterial tracheitis in children at a tertiary care center.
• To analyze key symptoms, clinical outcomes, and causative pathogens from existing literature.
• To identify potential changes in disease presentation over time.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective case series of 36 children diagnosed with bacterial tracheitis.
• Exclusion of cases with tracheostomy or secondary to prolonged intubation.
• Literature review to supplement case series findings.

Main Results:

• Common symptoms included cough (85%), stridor (77%), and hoarseness (67%).
• 55% had a preceding viral illness; methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus was the most common pathogen.
• 69% required pediatric intensive care, and 43% needed intubation; mortality was 2.7%.

Conclusions:

• Bacterial tracheitis, though uncommon, requires prompt recognition due to its potential severity.
• Staphylococcus species are frequently implicated, often following viral infections.
• Evolving patient demographics and clinical presentations warrant ongoing surveillance.