Laryngitis is a swelling of the laryngeal mucosa, which can be triggered by overstrain, overheating or hypothermia, infection. The disease is most often diagnosed in children, which is caused by differences in the structure of the respiratory tract of children and adults. Next, we consider the symptoms and treatment of laryngitis in children. Grudnichkov must be shown to a doctor, self-medication is unacceptable, all therapeutic measures should be carried out in a hospital.
Main reasons
Laryngitis in infants and older children is in most cases caused by viral infections. According to the famous pediatrician and TV presenter, Dr. Komarovsky, in 99.9% of cases, the source of the disease is a viral pathogen. Laryngitis is accompanied by flu, respiratory syncytial virus, adenovirus, paracrippal virus. All these diseases have similar causes and symptoms. Treatment of laryngitis in infants is usually carried out in a hospital if the disease arose for the first time or is severe, with complications. In other cases, treatment at home is possible.
The highest incidence is observed at the age of six months to two years. At this age, the disease is diagnosed in a third of children with acute respiratory illness. The reasons are the imperfection of the respiratory system of babies, inability to harmful external factors and infections. The triggering factors are inhalation of dusty air, weak immunity, a sharp change in climate, trauma to the laryngeal mucosa, allergic reaction, hypothermia, passive smoking, genetically narrow airways, difficult childbirth or birth injuries.
Forms of laryngitis
The disease is classified by its course. The catarrhal form is the simplest and most common. Symptoms appear that are characteristic of most infectious diseases in children, namely, dry cough, hoarseness and a slight increase in temperature. In this form, laryngitis also requires qualified medical assistance, as the consequences may be temporary loss of voice and the development of respiratory failure.
The stenonizing form is accompanied by a decrease in the lumen of the larynx. Most often, the disease in this case causes breathing problems. The help of a qualified pediatrician is required. The hypertrophic form of laryngitis develops both independently and as a complication of catarrhal. It is characterized by a likely loss of voice and a strong change in its tone, hoarseness. Atrophic laryngitis is more often diagnosed in adults. It differs from other forms by thinning of the laryngeal mucosa.
Hemorrhagic laryngitis develops with individual pathologies of the blood-forming organs or toxic flu. First, a dry cough appears, when passing into wet sputum, clots or streaks of blood are found in the sputum. The diphtheria form develops clearly from the tonsils to the larynx. Visually, a white coating is observed on the mucous membranes, which, exfoliating, can cause airway obstruction. According to the symptoms, the disease in this case resembles streptococcal infections. Phlegm (purulent) form is rare. It develops from catarrhal and is characterized by a significant increase in all symptoms.
Disease onset
Most often, in the offseason, symptoms of laryngitis in the baby appear. Recommendations for parents on prevention are based on strengthening the child’s immunity during this period. The development of respiratory infections, against the background of which the disease occurs, is facilitated by fluctuations in humidity and a change in temperature. Viruses are activated during the heat period, namely at the beginning of spring and autumn. In winter, children get sick less often. Symptoms of laryngitis in the baby appear very rapidly. Treatment and forms of the disease will be discussed below in more detail. In the acute period, the disease can reach a fourth degree of severity.
First stage
Symptoms of mild laryngitis are usually mild. In this case, the disease appears only during periods of anxiety or physical activity. Breathing quickens, becomes noisy, shortness of breath occurs when inhaling. Due to shortness of breath, there is no excess of carbon dioxide in the blood, so that the body can independently maintain the normal composition of the blood. This condition in children lasts up to two days.
Second degree
The symptoms of laryngitis in the baby are further intensified. Treatment started in a timely manner will help to quickly stop the disease. Breathing in the second stage becomes noisy, shortness of breath occurs in a calm state, and on inhalation it becomes constant. The work of the respiratory muscles becomes more frequent, which compensates for the lack of oxygen. In the area of the chest, retraction of soft tissue can be observed, which increases with tension.
At the same time, children behave uneasily, sleep poorly and may refuse food. The skin becomes pale, and the area around the mouth becomes bluish. The heartbeat is quickening. This stage lasts up to three to five days. Laryngitis is manifested by seizures or is constantly present. Treatment for this degree is already being carried out in a hospital setting.
Third stage
As already understood, the symptoms of the disease and severity are interconnected. Signs of laryngitis in infants at this stage are already pronounced. The child’s breathing quickens, the respiratory system increases, breathing becomes irregular, the metabolism is disturbed, and blood circulation is deteriorating. The condition of the child becomes severe. The baby becomes sleepy and inhibited, then behaves restlessly and irritably. The voice becomes quiet and hoarse.
Shortness of breath is present not only on inhalation, but also on exhalation. The cough is at first louder than usual, but gradually becomes superficial. Breathing is often replaced by superficial, can be noisy and irregular. The abdomen abruptly retracts. Symptoms of carbon dioxide accumulation in the body become pronounced. When listening, you can hear gross noises, after which breathing is weakened. Blood pressure may drop, heart tone becomes muffled and quickens. Treatment is carried out in a hospital.
Stenosis of the last stage
Symptoms and methods of treating laryngitis in infants are interrelated. At the last stage, the disease is very dangerous, and the condition of the child is assessed as very serious. Convulsions may occur, the temperature may decrease, and even a coma may develop. Rapid breathing, its absence may be observed, heart rate slows down. At this stage, the blood composition changes to critical values. Stenosis of the last stage can be supplemented by serious intoxication and complications. Be sure to call an ambulance, even if the child does not seem very sick.
Diagnosis of laryngitis
Diagnosis usually does not cause problems, since with laryngitis, the larynx swells, and analyzes show a complete picture of the disease. When the first symptoms appear, it is necessary to call a doctor at home. An accurate diagnosis of the baby can only be made by a qualified specialist based on laboratory tests. The main diagnostic methods are to study the anamnesis, physical examination, listening to the lungs, if necessary, a sputum and blood test is performed.
The doctor conducts a visual examination with an endoscope. In this case, a narrowing of the lumen of the larynx, the presence of edema and redness, purulent or mucous plaque can be detected. A smear from the larynx mucosa is taken to determine the causative agent of the disease. A complete blood count helps identify the viral or bacterial origin of laryngitis. During a general examination of the baby, the doctor will notice changes in the size of the lymph nodes and the presence of pain in the larynx. Based on the information received, you can make a final diagnosis and determine the tactics of therapy.
Possible complications
The most dangerous complication of laryngitis in young children is the development of stenosis, that is, the last stage of the disease. Dangerous consequences are also pneumonia, tracheitis, bronchitis, tonsillitis, sepsis, atrophy of the larynx, the development of benign tumors, purulent phlegmon of the neck, or the transition of the disease into a chronic form. Possible complications are very dangerous, therefore, with laryngitis in infants, treatment (adequate and timely) is very important.
First aid child
Treatment of laryngitis in infants should begin with first aid for an attack. Due to the small diameter of the larynx and the features of its location in young children, the disease can provoke attacks of suffocation. In case of sudden difficulty in breathing, first aid is necessary. The child is stripped above the waist, and then fixed in an upright position. You can put a pillow under your head so that the baby is half-sitting.
You need to open the window so that the room has enough fresh air. Humidify the air using a special device or using the grandmother's method - hang wet towels on heating radiators. You can take a bath of hot water or turn on the shower, and then bring the baby into the room so that the baby breathes moist air. According to Dr. Komarovsky, treatment of laryngitis in infants should be carried out only in a room with moist and cool air. The temperature in the room where the baby is constantly located should be about 18-22 degrees.
The child also needs to be given a drink of alkaline mineral water or milk with baking soda. You can drink it with dried fruit compote or warm water. Children over two years old mustard mustard on the calf muscles. If the temperature is not elevated, then you can make a hot foot bath. With an increase in body temperature, the child is given an antipyretic. In case of respiratory arrest, vomiting is necessary by pressing the tongue with a finger or spoon.
For very young children or those who definitely have an allergy to something, it is immediately recommended to give an antihistamine. This can slightly improve the condition of the child and remove puffiness. All these actions are recommended before the ambulance arrives. Attacks of the disease are repeated, so after the first one should not relax, because the second attack may be stronger.
Hospitalization with laryngitis
If laryngitis is diagnosed in infants, doctors will determine how to help the baby. At home, parents can only alleviate the attack before the arrival of doctors, but the treatment of very young children (or if the disease arose for the first time) is carried out only in a hospital. In the acute form of the disease, doctors will quickly remove the swelling and make the necessary inhalations. Perhaps the child will be prescribed antibiotic therapy.
In severe cases, the hospital may intubate the trachea or do mechanical ventilation. This applies to severe laryngeal edema. In this situation, only a doctor will help. Without medical assistance, the child may die. The baby will have a trachosystem to restore breathing. The system consists of a tube inserted into a cut in the neck. When the condition returns to normal, the handset is removed. Treatment of laryngitis in infants will then be carried out with medications.
Laryngitis treatment
At home, the treatment of laryngitis in infants is carried out only if the stage of the disease allows, and the child has already had seizures, so that parents are able to adequately conduct therapy. If inhalation is not contraindicated, then they need to be done at home, but in some cases this will not be enough. Drug treatment of laryngitis in infants is carried out only according to the doctor’s testimony.
Usually prescribed antihistamines (especially with the allergic nature of the disease), antibiotics (if bacteria are detected in the analyzes), cough suppressants (cannot be used if sputum is present), expectorants and mucolytics (with a wet cough). Antibiotics are selected in accordance with the age of the child. Also, in the hospital, hormonal treatment can be prescribed.
In children under one year old, acute laryngitis is especially dangerous. Be sure to call a doctor at home with difficulty breathing, fever and restless behavior of the baby. If an attack has begun, it is better to call an ambulance, and not wait for the arrival of the district pediatrician.
The regimen for laryngitis
When treating at home, the child needs to ensure bed rest and minimal tension of the vocal cords. It will not work to force the baby to remain silent, but you need to try to make him speak at least in a whisper. In this case, the larynx is restored quite quickly, and the number of defects in the development of the vocal cords, which are just forming, tends to zero. The room must comply with the optimum temperature and humidity. It is necessary to regularly do wet cleaning and ventilate the room, if necessary, use a humidifier and reduce the intensity of the heating devices. Food should be such as not to irritate the throat. Drinking is shown as plentiful as possible. This will allow you to quickly pass the stage of dry cough and reduce the toxic effect on the body.
Chronic laryngitis
In the absence of adequate treatment, or if the disease has remained untreated, chronic laryngitis may develop. At the same time, problems with the throat or vocal cords develop slowly, the child constantly feels the need to cough. By the way, chronic laryngitis in adults is often an occupational disease, which is prone to those who, on duty, speak a lot, that is, singers, actors, teachers.
Preventive measures
How to protect babies from laryngitis? To protect the child, you must not let him drink cold, wear it according to the weather and only in clothes made from natural fabrics, observe hygiene rules, avoid infections, regularly carry out wet cleaning in the house, maintain optimal temperature and humidity, engage in hardening, do not treat colds and other diseases on their own. You also need to periodically visit the local pediatrician for routine examinations.