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Prolonged croup due to herpes simplex virus infection
I Krause1, T Schonfeld, J Ben-Ari
1Department of Paediatrics A and B, Schneider Children's Medical Centre of Israel, Petah-Tiqva. ikrause@post.tau.ac.il
European Journal of Pediatrics
|August 1, 1998
Summary
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) can cause unusual cases of acute laryngitis in healthy children. This study highlights HSV-1 as a cause of prolonged stridor and gingivostomatitis in immunocompetent pediatric patients.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Virology
- Otolaryngology
Background:
- Herpes simplex virus (HSV) typically affects immunocompromised individuals.
- Acute laryngitis is an uncommon manifestation of HSV in immunocompetent patients.
Observation:
- Two previously healthy children presented with prolonged gingivostomatitis and stridor.
- Symptoms persisted for 3 and 4 weeks, respectively.
- HSV-1 was identified as the causative agent from subglottal ulcers.
Findings:
- Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) can cause severe, prolonged laryngitis in otherwise healthy children.
- Subglottal ulcers were observed in affected children.
- The clinical presentation mimicked atypical croup.
Implications:
- HSV should be considered in the differential diagnosis of prolonged or atypical croup in children, regardless of immune status.
- Early recognition and diagnosis of HSV laryngitis are crucial for appropriate management in pediatric cases.
- This expands the known spectrum of HSV manifestations in immunocompetent pediatric populations.